18 workplace goal examples and how to achieve them

Setting clear, meaningful goals at work helps people stay focused, motivated, and aligned with a larger purpose. Whether it’s developing a new skill or improving team collaboration, workplace goals give structure to professional growth and create a stronger sense of connection between individuals and their organization.

That sense of connection matters. In 2024, U.S. employee engagement reached an 11-year low, according to Gallup. This is part of a broader trend researchers are calling The Great Detachment. Many people are staying in their jobs but feeling less connected to their work, their teams, and the mission behind it all.

For managers, this presents a hidden risk: disengagement may not show up as turnover right away, but it can quietly impact performance, morale, and productivity. One of the most effective ways to re-engage your team—or yourself—is through setting workplace goals. Done well, goals can boost motivation, improve focus, and help people feel excited about their work again.

What are work goals?

Workplace goals are work-related goals you set for yourself, with your manager, or with your team members. The purpose of work goals is to contribute to organizational success while also making progress towards your career aspirations. 

Also called professional goals, workplace goal examples include learning how to give constructive feedback, earning a promotion, or receiving a positive performance review from your boss. 

Your goals for work can be short-term or long-term—and you'll probably want a mix of both. Short-term goals typically can be accomplished within a few months. Long-term goals take longer to achieve, requiring at least six months or up to several years. 

Why are workplace goals important?

From a young age, we learn about the importance of setting goals for ourselves. The following is a list of reasons why doing this is vital for professional development.

1. They’re measurable

Setting goals can quantify your growth at work, which is important for getting your next promotion or nailing a performance review.

For example, "increase monthly blog traffic by 20% over the next quarter” is a measurable goal that gives you a clear benchmark to aim for and track progress against. Instead of vaguely trying to “get better at content marketing,” you’re defining exactly what success looks like and when you expect to achieve it.

2. They provide vision

Goals help you zoom out and see the bigger picture of your career. From mastering a new skill to earning a leadership role, setting goals gives you direction and purpose. They act as a roadmap, guiding your personal and professional growth while keeping you motivated along the way.

3. They boost engagement

When people feel disconnected from their work, they’re more likely to lose focus and disengage. But setting clear, meaningful goals can help reverse that. McKinsey research shows that effective goal-setting doesn’t just support individual performance—it also increases employee engagement in ways that benefit entire organizations.

Workplace communication goal examples

According to 2024 research from LinkedIn, communication is the number one in-demand skill in the workplace. Strong communication helps employees align with team objectives, deliver measurable results, and build meaningful relationships. 

Whether you’re leading a new project or collaborating cross-functionally, improving your communication skills supports both short-term progress and long-term professional development.

To point you in the right direction, here are a few examples of goals for work focused on communication: 

Share your goals and dreams 

Improving your communication skills is a critical aspect of success. It’s not just about speaking clearly—it’s about being understood, building trust, and creating alignment. For example, setting a goal to share your career aspirations with your manager in your next 1:1 can open the door to new opportunities. The more clearly you communicate your needs and intentions, the easier it is for colleagues and leaders to support your growth.

Improve your public speaking

In most professions, presenting ideas clearly and confidently is part of the job. Strengthening your public speaking skills can accelerate your professional growth and help you communicate with greater impact. Whether you’re sharing a story, pitching a new idea, or contributing to a team discussion, speaking with clarity and confidence will help you stand out.

Master conflict resolution 

A work goal focused on conflict resolution will help you become an invaluable member of any team. Whether it’s with another employee, your boss, or a customer, conflicts in the workplace will always happen at some point. It's essential to know how to handle them without escalating the situation and hurting feelings. 

Seek feedback for continuous improvement

Actively seeking and constructively responding to feedback is a powerful way to grow professionally and reach career goals. This might look like regular check-ins with your manager, seeking mentorship, or engaging in peer reviews.

Learning and professional development goal examples

According to LinkedIn's Workplace Learning Report, 7 in 10 people say that learning improves their connection to their organization, and 8 in 10 say it adds purpose to their work. This shows that professional development isn’t just about climbing the career ladder—it’s about staying engaged, building confidence, and aligning your work with long-term aspirations. 

If you're looking to grow your skills, support team objectives, or prepare for your next performance review, here are a few development goals for work to consider:

Grow your skills through continuing education 

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with self-improvement. Refreshing or adding to your knowledge base increases both individual and group competency. This type of professional development goal can involve going back to school, taking a class, or attending a seminar related to your job online or in person.

Sign up for leadership training 

Leadership isn’t a quality you’re born with—it’s something you develop. Whether you're managing projects or mentoring peers, leadership development training can help you communicate more effectively and inspire your team. Consider enrolling in a workshop, joining a mentorship program, or leading a cross-functional initiative to grow your leadership skills in a meaningful, measurable way.

Pursue a professional certification

Earning a certification in your field can validate your expertise and demonstrate your commitment to ongoing career development. It’s a straightforward, defined goal that can strengthen your resume and open the door to promotions, new responsibilities, or even a career pivot. 

Whether you're working toward a project management credential, technical certification, or industry-specific license, investing in your learning signals that you're motivated, adaptable, and ready to grow.

Explore AI tools to stay ahead of industry shifts

As artificial intelligence continues to transform the workplace, learning how to work alongside it is becoming an essential part of professional development. Whether you're experimenting with AI-powered productivity tools or taking a course on responsible AI use in your industry, staying curious and proactive will help you keep up with change and open the door to new growth opportunities.

Upgrade job-specific technical skills

Improving your hard skills reinforces your value as a team member in your organization. This kind of goal could involve learning new software, understanding new industry standards, or mastering a new tool.

Everyone requires a bit of inspiration now and then! Take a look at some career targets examples to help you find that spark and set your own work goals. 

Relationship-building goal examples 

Strong relationships at work do more than boost collaboration. They’re essential for mental well-being, motivation, and long-term job satisfaction. According to KPMG’s Friends at Work survey, 81% of professionals say work friendships make them feel more connected to their workplace, and 83% say those relationships increase their engagement.

Especially in today’s hybrid work environments, building authentic connections takes intention—but the payoff is powerful. Whether you're aiming to feel more aligned with your team or simply want to enjoy your workday more, these goals can support both personal and professional growth.

Here are a few achievable relationship-building goal examples: 

Work on team collaboration

Effective collaboration is foundational to achieving shared objectives, especially in hybrid and remote work settings. According to KPMG's survey, employees with strong connections to their colleagues are more engaged and satisfied on the job. Consider setting a measurable goal to schedule regular check-ins with team members or get lunch once a week with a coworker you don’t know that well. 

Build your professional network

Networking isn’t just about finding your next job—it’s about expanding your perspective and creating opportunities for professional growth. As the KPMG report highlights, friendships at work often lead to internal and external advancement opportunities. 

Whether you’re attending a conference, connecting with peers through Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), or scheduling monthly coffee chats, relationship-building goals like this can help you stay motivated and aligned with your career aspirations. 

Develop emotional intelligence

Emotional intelligence is a key skill for navigating workplace dynamics and connecting with your coworkers. Increasing your emotional awareness can also strengthen your leadership presence, improve team relationships, and contribute to a more connected and inclusive work culture—especially important in digitally driven environments where face-to-face connection is limited. 

A defined goal might include asking for feedback from a mentor, practicing empathy in high-stress situations, or reflecting weekly on your interpersonal interactions.

Productivity and performance goal examples

Improving your productivity doesn’t mean working nonstop—it means working with clarity, focus, and intention. Performance goals that help you manage your time, stay adaptable, and use your energy wisely can make you a more valuable employee and protect you from burnout.

Whether you’re hoping to hit specific key results, earn a promotion, or simply feel more in control of your workload, these goals can support your long-term success. To help you get started, here are a few examples of productivity and performance goals for work: 

Master time management

You can’t hope to achieve many goals if you aren’t keeping yourself on track. That's why time management is an essential skill for any workplace. 

Strong time management skills are also key for staying focused and meeting deadlines without feeling overwhelmed. Try setting a specific, achievable goal, like planning your week in advance, blocking time for deep work, or reducing task-switching.

Enhance project management abilities

Even if you’re not a formal project manager, building project management skills—like organizing tasks, setting realistic deadlines, and coordinating across teams—can make your work more efficient and outcomes more predictable. Goal setting around project management is also a powerful way to show leadership, even without a title. 

Strengthen adaptability and flexibility

Adapting to changes and staying flexible in your work approach is crucial in today's fast-paced work environment. This could involve adjusting to new work conditions, adopting new methodologies, or being open to shifting project priorities.

Boost productivity with automation

Identify tasks that can be automated and learn how to use these solutions. Automation, especially when it's paired with smart AI tools, can save time and reduce errors, freeing you and your team to focus on strategic initiatives.

Wellness and fulfillment goal examples

Success at work isn’t just about hitting performance goals—it’s also about feeling grounded, engaged, and fulfilled in your day-to-day experience. Setting goals that support your well-being can increase motivation, reduce stress, and help you stay connected to what really matters. These goals serve as a reminder that professional growth doesn’t have to come at the cost of your personal life. 

Improve work-life balance

Setting defined goals around your time, energy, and availability can help protect your well-being and increase your long-term job satisfaction. You might try time-blocking your calendar, setting boundaries around how late you work, or practicing mindfulness during the day to recharge.

Practice creativity

Creativity isn’t just for artists. It’s a key skill for innovation, problem-solving, and growth at work. Setting goals that strengthen creative thinking can help you generate fresh ideas, approach challenges with flexibility, and contribute in new ways across your team or organization.

To build your creative thinking muscle, try blocking 30 minutes each week for brainstorming or quiet time to let your mind wander. The latter can be especially effective—research from Duke neuroscientist Paul Seli shows that some of our most original ideas surface during moments of rest and mind-wandering, not in front of a blinking cursor. 

Contribute to a positive work environment

A positive work environment boosts morale and productivity. Be a source of positivity in your team by encouraging open communication, recognizing others' achievements, and contributing to a supportive and encouraging culture.

3 tips for achieving your work goals  

Setting goals is only the first step. Sticking with them takes intention, reflection, and support. No matter your work goal, these simple tips can help you stay on track and make meaningful progress.

Tip #1: Leverage SMART goals 

When goals are too vague, it’s easy to lose focus and motivation. That’s where the SMART goals framework comes in. SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound—and research shows that using this framework makes it more likely you’ll achieve what you set out to do.

Here’s how to create your own SMART goals for work:

• Specific: Clear work goals lead to clear actions. Instead of “improve my communication skills,” try “present in at least one team meeting per month.” The more specific your objective, the easier it is to focus your efforts and stay motivated. 
• Measurable: You need to track your progress to know what’s working. Identify how you’ll measure success, whether that’s hitting a deadline, completing a task, or reaching a performance milestone tied to key results.
• Attainable: Although pushing yourself to do better isn't bad, your goals need to be achievable.  Setting goals should keep you inspired, not lead to burnout. 
• Relevant: Make sure your goals align with your current role, team objectives, or long-term career aspirations. Relevant goals create a stronger sense of purpose and increase motivation.
• Time-bound: Whether it's your next performance review or the end of the quarter, every SMART goal needs a deadline. Giving yourself a defined time frame helps create urgency and gives you checkpoints to evaluate your progress. 

Tip #2: Ask for help

Career coaches and advisers can help you identify what you’re looking to gain out of your career and devise a strategy to accomplish that. They can provide you with various tactics to help you achieve your short and long-term goals for work. A BetterUp Coach, for instance, will help you develop awareness about the various roles you play and dimensions in your life through the Whole Person™ model.

Tip #3: Prioritize self-care 

Don’t overlook self-care. While work and other responsibilities are important, that doesn’t mean it’s OK to put yourself on the back burner. If you’re not taking care of yourself properly, you won’t reach your full potential.           

Putting it all together

Work goals help you identify what will make you happy and fulfilled at work—and then achieve it. By setting goals at work, you’ll feel more connected to your workplace and boost engagement for yourself and your team members. 

Don’t shy away from seeking help throughout the process. Whether you’re looking to achieve short- or long-term work goals, a BetterUp Coach can help you create an actionable plan and foster the perspective and accountability necessary to achieve them.