For the first HR on the Offensive livestream hosted by Chris Howard and featuring guest Debbie Mitchell, in this episode they tackle the topic of objective setting—an essential process that businesses revisit at the start of each year.

The conversation quickly moved to the myths surrounding objective setting, highlighting five types of managers and employees she often sees.

• The Deniers – These individuals delay setting objectives, insisting they must wait for leadership. In reality, teams have enough insight to set meaningful, business-aligned goals independently.
• The Magicians – These managers prioritise quantity over quality, setting arbitrary objectives that dilute impact. Goals should instead align with company priorities and be co-created with employees for better engagement.
• The Fortune Tellers – These individuals set rigid, year-long objectives, assuming they’ll stay relevant. With business needs constantly shifting, goals should be reviewed every few months for alignment.
• The Hoarders – These managers set objectives but neglect them until annual reviews, making goals ineffective. Regular check-ins keep objectives relevant, adaptable, and aligned with business needs.
• The Cryptic – These goal-setters create vague, unmeasurable objectives that lack business alignment. Clear, shared expectations ensure goals drive success and meaningful performance

 Co-create and collaborate with your team members to work out what they’ll enjoy doing and what has an impact on your business.

Debbie Mitchell

Objective setting should be a collaborative process, not a one-sided exercise imposed by leadership. Employees who have a hand in shaping their goals are more engaged and motivated, leading to stronger performance and business impact.