As we move into the third quarter of the year, businesses across industries are taking time to reset and refocus. Q3 isn’t just a checkpoint—it’s a powerful opportunity to realign your strategy, evaluate your progress, and make meaningful changes that impact your long-term success.
That’s why the Forbes Human Resources Council brought together 15 industry experts to share their top strategies for setting and achieving goals this quarter. These proven approaches can help any organization stay focused, agile, and results-driven.
Key Takeaways from Industry Leaders:
- Lead with clarity and focus. It’s critical to identify what must move the mission forward and what can wait. Creating “breathable” goals and checking in on progress mid-quarter prevents burnout and builds meaningful momentum.
- Align goals to business needs. Ensure your objectives reflect current business priorities, are measurable, and are communicated across your team. Keep flexibility in mind and adjust as needed to prepare for Q4.
- Reflect, refine, and course-correct. Now is the time to assess the goals set earlier in the year. Identify roadblocks, break larger objectives into smaller tasks, and use real-time data to spot trends and inform action.
- Use structure and accountability. Whether you implement OKRs, the 3Rs (Review, Realign, Run), or visible scoreboards, having a disciplined system helps everyone stay on track and focused on what matters most.
- Leverage innovation. Don’t be afraid to embrace disruptive strategies, including AI tools, to support progress and improve your traditional goal-setting playbook.
These expert tips emphasize the importance of measurable goals, frequent progress checks, and aligning your efforts with business outcomes.
A Standout Contribution from Crawford Thomas Recruiting
Among the standout insights was one from William Stonehouse III, President of Crawford Thomas Recruiting, an award-winning national recruiting firm and recognized industry leader.
“For Q3, we focus on clarity, alignment and accountability. We set clear, measurable goals tied to strategic priorities, communicate them company-wide and establish ownership for each deliverable. Regular check-ins ensure we stay agile and course-correct as needed.”
– William Stonehouse III, Crawford Thomas Recruiting
At Crawford Thomas Recruiting, this commitment to measurable outcomes isn’t just internal—it’s a core part of how we help clients hire top talent, streamline the recruiting process, and build winning teams. With decades of combined industry expertise, we deliver tailored hiring solutions that meet today’s challenges and prepare businesses for tomorrow.
Whether you’re realigning Q3 goals or preparing your team for a stronger finish to the year, Crawford Thomas Recruiting is your trusted partner for hiring success and forward-thinking industry advice.