Q. "How can we help staff write meaningful and motivating professional goals?"
Answer:
Think of goal-setting not just as a business practice, but as an opportunity for discipleship—helping staff members grow in the stewardship of their God-given talents. Here are five simple ways to guide them:
Connect to the Mission: Share upcoming priorities, big projects, or organizational goals, and ask them to prayerfully envision how their specific role and gifts can contribute to those efforts in a tangible, measurable way. When they see the direct impact their effort has on the mission, it becomes infinitely more motivating.
Focus on the Fruit: Encourage them to think about the results, not just the tasks. This "fruit" could be things like faster response times to member needs, higher accuracy in donor reporting, or reduced rework of ministry programs. Help them determine what practical improvement best serve your community,
Invest in Their Calling: Look for ways to tie skills they're eager to develop or what God may be leading them to explore back into their current role. For example, if a team member aims to improve communication skills, find them opportunities to lead a small group or present at a staff meeting. This shows care for holistic growth, not just job duties.
Affirm and Reward Success: If possible, connect bonuses, extra time off, or career advancement to the successful completion of goals. Goals are most motivating when they lead to a positive outcome for the ministry and the employee.
Immediate Benefits: Working toward a professional goal isn't just about a future promotion; it has immediate benefits. Point out how these goals can reduce daily frustrations, make routine tasks simpler, and improve both individual and team performance.