If you’re a creative leader looking for SMART coaching questions that help you set better goals, for yourself or your team, you’re in the right place. These prompts turn ideas into action, helping you find structure without rigidity. This is goal setting with ease, flow, clarity, and impact.
SMART Goals for Leaders: A Coaching Approach That Actually Works
SMART goals aren’t new, yet when used as a coaching conversation rather than a checklist, they become a powerful tool for turning creative ideas into clear, aligned action.
Why SMART Still Works (When You Use It Right)
Whether you’re leading yourself or guiding a team, these coaching questions bring your goal-setting process to life. Instead of filling in rigid templates, you’ll gain real clarity about what matters, what’s possible, and how to move forward with intention.
This guide was created for creative, values-driven leaders who crave clarity without rigidity, because when your goals align with your energy and priorities, momentum follows.
If you’re curious about the psychology behind why some goals succeed and others fizzle out, this Kellogg Insight podcast on goal-setting mistakes is a smart listen.
The Ultimate List: 49 SMART Coaching Questions
Use these prompts to clarify direction, spark motivation, and create meaningful next steps, for yourself or your team.
Pick the 3–5 questions that unlock clarity in the moment.
🟠 Specific: Get Clear on the What
Before you do anything, define what success actually looks like.
- What exactly are you aiming to do?
- What’s the main actionable thing you will do?
- What will this look like when it’s complete?
- What’s the first step that needs to happen?
- What does success along the way look like in action?
- What does the finish line look like if this is successful?
- Who else is involved or impacted?
- What resources are you dependent on?
- What are the boundaries of this goal? (What’s in and out of scope?)
- If someone shadowed you, what would they see you doing?
Common Pitfalls:
- The goal is too vague or abstract
- Success hasn’t been clearly defined
- You’re unclear about key dependencies
🟠 Measurable: Define Success
Tracking progress helps you stay motivated and make better decisions.
- How will you track progress?
- How will you know it’s working?
- What exactly will be measured?
- What can be counted, tracked, or reviewed?
- What are your indicators of progress?
- What data or feedback will guide you?
- How often will you check in on this?
- What does progress look like after 1 week? 1 month? 1 quarter?
- What will you do if progress slows down?
- What’s your definition of done?
Common Pitfalls:
- No clear way to measure progress
- Relying on vague indicators instead of feedback or data
- Confusion around what “done” actually looks like
🟠 Achievable: Make It Doable
Set yourself (or your team) up for success, without burnout.
- Is this realistic based on your current capacity?
- What makes this doable right now?
- What skills, tools, or support do you already have?
- What do you need in order to succeed?
- What obstacles might come up?
- What’s within your control?
- What’s totally doable, and what’s a stretch?
- What might need to shift to make this happen?
- If this feels big, what would a scaled-down version look like?
- What could you automate, delegate, or ask for help with?
Common Pitfalls:
- The goal feels inspiring but unrealistic
- You haven’t identified what’s in your control
- You’re carrying the whole load alone
🟠 Relevant: Align With What Matters
Make sure the goal connects with your values, priorities, or bigger picture.
- Why does this goal matter right now?
- How does it connect to your bigger picture or strategic plan?
- What value or mission does it support?
- What would happen if you didn’t do this?
- How urgent is this?
- How does this fit with the other things on your plate?
- Who or what benefits from this being completed?
- Does this align with your current role or business needs?
- What impact will this have if successful?
- Is this the best use of your time and energy?
Common Pitfalls:
- The goal sounds good but isn’t actually a priority
- It’s unclear why this goal matters
- It overlaps with other efforts or lacks urgency
🟠 Time-bound: Anchor It in Time
Deadlines don’t limit creativity, they support completion.
- When will you do it?
- By when will the first step be done?
- What’s your final deadline?
- What’s your ideal timeline, and your realistic one?
- When will you check in on progress?
- How will you pace the work?
- What milestones do you want to hit?
- What could get in the way, and how will you respond?
- How will you know it’s time to close or pivot?
Common Pitfalls:
- No clear deadline or check-in point
- Timeline doesn’t match workload
- No backup plan for delays or shifting priorities
How to Use SMART Coaching Questions to Set Goals as a Leader
- Use these questions with your team (or yourself)
- Use 2–3 of these in a 1:1 to help someone refine their goal
- Turn them into journaling prompts for your own leadership development
- Use them in planning sessions or strategy off-sites to spark deeper thinking
💡 Pro Tip: You don’t need all 49 questions. Choose the ones that unlock clarity, alignment, and momentum in the moment.
SMART coaching questions are powerful, but only if you apply them consistently. If you struggle with follow-through, check out this post on building consistency to create real momentum.
Applying SMART to a Written Goal
These coaching questions translate easily into OKRs, performance reviews, or professional development conversations.
- Specific – What is the clear action or outcome?
- Measurable – How will success be tracked?
- Achievable – Is this doable with your current resources?
- Relevant – Is this goal aligned with your priorities or role?
- Time-bound – By when will it be completed?
SMART Goal Template
Template:
“I will do X (activity) by Y (timeframe), and you’ll know I’ve done it by Z (measurement).”
To deepen accountability and impact, connect your goals to something meaningful, like a company pillar, a leadership skill, or a personal development aim.
Example:
“I will strengthen [Leadership Skill X], aligned with [Company Value], by completing [Specific Action] by [Timeframe], and measuring progress through [Feedback or Metric].”
Bonus Reflection Prompts
- Why does this goal matter to you right now?
- Do your current goals support your longer-term career path?
- Can the projects you take on help raise your visibility, connect you with key people, or showcase your strengths?
📥 Download the Free SMART Coaching Questions Guide
Want to keep these questions on hand for your next 1:1 or planning session?
Click here to download the printable PDF guide.
Let’s Turn Your Ideas Into Results
Whether you’re clarifying leadership goals or planning your next bold move, I help high-achieving leaders pivot fast with clarity, structure, and heart.
Send me a message here or visit www.cathyferringo.com/discovery-call to book a free consult.
~ Cathy
Clarity & Strategy Coach for Leaders
Helping high-achievers pivot fast and lead with integrity
