Goal Setting
Goal setting with EDGE is the first phase of the performance cycle and establishes clear expectations for the year. It helps you understand what is most important, how your work connects to team and university priorities, and how your performance will be evaluated.
Why goal setting matters
Clear, meaningful goals provide purpose, alignment, and help you stay focused, energized, and engaged by understanding your contributions and path for development. Clear goals turn aspirations into tangible milestones, fostering confidence and a growth mindset.
Setting goals
For additional guidance for employees and managers on setting goals together and integrating competencies, review the training resources below.
- You reflect on your team's goals and priorities
- You draft your goals and identify key competencies to focus on in the year ahead
Resources
SMART Goal Scenario SMART Goal Setting Worksheet AI Guidance in Goal Setting
- You and your manager meet to review, refine, and finalize goals - ensuring they connect to broader team goals
- Together, you establish a plan for ongoing check-ins
A collaborative partnership
Goal setting is a two-way street. Both you and your manager play a critical role in ensuring your goals are clear, meaningful, and achievable.
- Your role (employee)
- Draft your initial goals based on team priorities
- Identify areas where you want to grow your skills
- Seek clarity from your manager when expectations are unclear
- Drive the conversation during 1:1s
- Your manager's role
- Provide strategic context and team priorities
- Review, refine, and approve your goals
- Identify necessary resources and remove roadblocks
- Offer ongoing coaching and support
- Throughout the year, you and your manager check in regularly on progress, challenges, and support needs
- Goals can be updated or adjusted as priorities evolve to stay relevant and achievable
Integrating competencies into goal setting
Goals and competencies are most powerful when they are used together. Think of goals as the destination and competencies as the map and vehicle that get you there.
The Stanford competency framework
Our competency framework at Stanford is the Korn Ferry Leadership Architect (KFLA). Understanding the specific skills and overarching competencies for your role is central to effective development. It turns abstract growth into concrete action. The KFLA provides a common language for development across Stanford, ensuring consistency and clarity. When selecting your competencies, partner with your manager to ensure they are balanced across four factors: Thoughts, Results, People, and Self.
Training and resources
Goal Setting & Alignment (Instructor-led training)
This virtual, instructor-led training series has concluded. Staff who have not yet completed this training should complete the web-based training (WBT). This self-service training helps employees and managers explore how to set strong goals, align them with Stanford priorities, and use competencies to guide development.
You may access this self-service resource by following the links within the Program Training | Learning the philosophy and framework section of this webpage.
Sequoia System Demonstration: Goal Setting (Instructor-led)
This virtual, instructor-led training series has concluded. Staff who have not yet completed the system training should complete the web-based training (WBT) or review the relevant help articles. These self-service resources provide the knowledge and skills needed to confidently navigate the system and create, update, and manage goals throughout the performance year.
You may access these self-service resources by following the links within the System Training | Navigate Sequoia effectively and Help Articles | Navigate Goal Setting in Sequoia sections of this webpage.
Goal Setting: Program training (web-based)
In this training, employees and managers will explore how to set strong goals, align them with Stanford priorities, and use competencies to guide development.
Goal Setting: System training (Web-based)
Master goal setting in Sequoia with this interactive e-learning experience designed for employees and managers.
Launch Goal Setting training for Employees
Launch Goal Setting training for Managers
Looking for additional goal-setting resources? Explore the resources below for more support.
Managing goal setting for your team?
Visit the Manager Toolkit for goal-setting resources to support your team.