SMART vs SOAR. The Battle of Goal-Setting

Rethinking goal-setting

Photo by Clark Tibbs on Unsplash

Ah, goals. The corporate world’s favorite buzzword.

We’ve all been there, right?

At some point in our lives, we have all gotten to sit in a stuffy meeting, nodding along as someone drones on about setting SMART goals.

Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound. Sounds familiar?

But wait, there’s a new player in town shaking up the traditional goal-setting scene — SOAR goals. Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, Results. Now, that’s a breath of fresh air.

SMART Goals: The Old Faithful

Let’s not throw SMART goals under the bus just yet. They’ve been the backbone of organizational planning since George Doran, Arthur Miller and James Cunningham introduced them in 1981. They’re like that reliable old car you can’t bear to part with. SMART goals are all about precision and practicality. You want to increase sales by 20% in six months? That’s SMART. It’s like having a GPS for your business — you know exactly where you’re going and how to get there.

But, let’s face it, sometimes SMART goals feel like a straightjacket. They can be limiting, especially when it comes to innovative thinking and adapting to change. They’re great for short-term planning, but when it comes to inspiring a team and driving long-term success, they might just fall short.

SOAR Goals: The New Kid on the Block

Enter SOAR goals. These goals are like the exciting sports car to SMART’s reliable sedan. Developed by Jacqueline Stavros, David Cooperrider, and D. Lynn Kelley in 2003, SOAR shifts the focus from what’s going wrong to what’s going right. It’s all about leveraging your team’s strengths and opportunities to achieve aspirational results.

Imagine this: Your team is buzzing with energy, focusing on what they do best, chasing opportunities that excite them, and dreaming big. That’s the magic of SOAR. It’s not just about meeting targets; it’s about soaring (pun intended) beyond them.

Aligning Goals with Your Leadership Style

As a leader, your style is as unique as your fingerprint. Some of you might be the visionary types, always looking at the big picture. Others might be more hands-on, guiding your team through every step. So, how do you align SMART and SOAR with your leadership style?

If you’re the kind of leader who thrives on structure and detailed planning, SMART goals are your best friend. They’ll give you and your team clear, tangible targets to work towards. But if you’re more of a big-picture thinker, someone who loves inspiring and motivating your team, then SOAR goals will be more your speed. They allow for more flexibility and creativity, which can be a huge motivator for teams that thrive on innovation.

Considering Team Needs

Now, let’s talk about your team. Every team is different, with its own dynamics and needs. Some teams might need the clear structure that SMART goals provide, especially in fast-paced, high-pressure environments. But if your team is feeling stuck or demotivated, SOAR goals can inject some much-needed enthusiasm and creativity into the mix.

The key is to strike a balance. You don’t have to be Team SMART or Team SOAR. Why not be Team SMART-SOAR? Use SMART goals for short-term planning and immediate targets. Then, let SOAR goals guide your long-term vision and strategy. It’s like having your cake and eating it too.

The Great Debate: SMART vs. SOAR

Now, for the controversial bit. Some might say SOAR is just a fancy rebranding of positive thinking. “Focus on your strengths and opportunities? That’s just common sense!” they argue. But isn’t that the beauty of it? SOAR simplifies goal-setting to its most basic, yet most powerful element: positive momentum.

On the other hand, SMART goals get a lot of flak for being too rigid, too unimaginative. “Where’s the room for creativity, for adaptability?” critics ask. And they have a point. In a world that’s constantly changing, can we really afford to stick to rigid goals?

The Verdict

Here’s my take: SMART and SOAR are not mutually exclusive. They’re like the yin and yang of goal-setting. SMART gives you the structure; SOAR gives you the vision. Use them together, and you’ve got a winning formula.

Think of SMART goals as the stepping stones. They’re practical, they’re tangible, and they’ll get you from Point A to Point B. But once you’re there, it’s the SOAR goals that will take you to the next level. They’re the ones that will push your team to innovate, to dream bigger, and to achieve more.

Final Thoughts

It’s time to rethink goal-setting. Don’t just settle for one or the other. Blend the practicality of SMART with the aspirational nature of SOAR. Tailor them to fit your leadership style and your team’s needs. And watch as you not only achieve your goals but surpass them in ways you never thought possible.

Remember, the best leaders are not those who stick to the tried and tested. They’re the ones who dare to mix things up, who are not afraid to take the best of both worlds and create something even better.

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