How to have better goal setting discussions with your manager using strategies from The CCO Playbook

Introduction

This tutorial provides actionable strategies for improving goal-setting discussions with your manager, drawing from insights in The Chief Customer Officer Playbook by Rod Cherkas. By following these steps, you can better align your personal career growth with your organization's objectives, leading to more effective performance reviews and professional development.

Step 1: Identify Key Skills for Career Growth

• Reflect on your current role and future career aspirations.
• List the skills that are essential for advancement in customer-facing leadership positions.
• Seek feedback from peers and mentors to identify any skills you may have overlooked.
• Prioritize the skills based on their relevance to your career goals and organizational needs.

Step 2: Connect Skills to Business Outcomes

• Understand your organization’s goals and objectives.
• For each identified skill, determine how it contributes to achieving specific business outcomes.
• Create a visual map or a table that links each skill to its corresponding business impact, making it easier to communicate this connection with your manager.

Step 3: Prepare for the Discussion with Your Manager

• Schedule a dedicated time to discuss your goals and development needs with your manager.
• Prepare an agenda that outlines the skills you want to discuss and their connection to business outcomes.
• Gather any relevant data or examples that demonstrate how developing these skills can positively impact your team and organization.

Step 4: Conduct the Discussion

• Start the conversation by expressing your commitment to personal growth and alignment with organizational goals.
• Present your identified skills and their business connections clearly and confidently.
• Be open to feedback and suggestions from your manager, showing that you value their insights.
• Discuss specific development goals, such as training opportunities or mentorship, that can help you acquire the necessary skills.

Step 5: Follow Up and Track Progress

• After the discussion, summarize the key takeaways and agreed-upon goals in an email to your manager.
• Set regular check-ins to review your progress on the development goals.
• Adjust your strategies as needed based on ongoing feedback and organizational changes.

Conclusion

Effective goal-setting discussions with your manager can significantly enhance your career growth and contribute to your organization’s success. By identifying key skills, connecting them to business outcomes, and preparing thoroughly for your discussions, you can engage in productive conversations that foster your professional development. Consider implementing these strategies in your next performance review cycle for optimal results.