Quarterly Check-Ins: How Real Leaders Set Goals, Track Progress, and Stay Ahead
Quarterly Check-Ins: How Real Leaders Set Goals, Track Progress, and Stay Ahead
Most business owners and leadership teams are so caught up in the day-to-day that they forget to pause, evaluate, and adjust. The result? Missed targets, unclear priorities, and a team that’s busy—but not aligned.
Quarterly check-ins are one of the most powerful tools you can use to lead with intention. They create rhythm, clarity, and accountability. They bring your team together around what matters. And they give you the chance to course-correct before you waste another quarter off-track.
Here’s how I help clients build a simple but powerful quarterly cadence that drives results.
Start With a Look Back: Last Quarter’s Wins, Misses, and Lessons
Before you set new goals, you need to assess the last ones. Did you actually hit your targets? If not—why? Were the goals realistic? Did ownership break down? Did urgent things get in the way of important ones?
This is not about assigning blame. It’s about understanding your business more deeply and becoming a better leader every 90 days.
Ask your team:
What went well?
What didn’t?
What needs to change going forward?
Clarity starts with honesty.
Budget vs. Actual: Know Where You Stand
This one’s simple—but often skipped.
You need to review your numbers. Not just how much money came in, but:
Were you over or under budget?
Where are you bleeding cash or underinvesting?
Are you pricing properly? Are your margins still healthy?
Too many businesses wait until year-end to discover they weren’t profitable. Quarterly financial reviews help you make smarter, faster decisions—and avoid surprises.
KPIs & Dashboards: Measure What Matters
If you’re not tracking the right data, you’re leading blind.
Every business should have 3–5 key performance indicators (KPIs) that give a clear picture of health. And every leadership team should be reviewing those numbers every single quarter (and ideally, monthly).
This could include:
Revenue growth
Gross margin
Customer acquisition cost
Client retention
Number of new clients
Dashboards don’t need to be complicated—they need to be **clear**. Your team should know what the numbers mean, how they’re trending, and who owns them.
Set 90-Day Goals: Real, Relevant, and Aligned
Quarterly goals should move your business forward—not just keep you busy.
When setting goals, ask:
Are they aligned with our longer-term vision?
Are they achievable in the next 90 days?
Who is accountable?
How will we measure success?
Avoid vague goals like “improve communication” or “grow sales.” Instead, go specific:
Launch weekly team huddle with a shared scorecard
Increase Q3 revenue by 15%
Complete and roll out onboarding SOPs for new hires
A goal without a plan is just a wish.
Always Look Ahead: Beyond the Quarter
Quarterly check-ins aren’t just about the next 90 days—they’re about staying connected to the bigger picture.
Ask yourself:
* Are we building toward our 1-year or 3-year vision?
* Is this goal getting us closer to our BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal)?
* What decisions do we need to make now to be in the right place 6–12 months from now?
Great leaders don’t just lead in the moment. They look forward and make decisions today that serve the future.
Quarterly Check-Ins Create Calm, Clarity, and Confidence
Your team doesn’t need more noise—they need direction.
You don’t need more meetings—you need the right ones.
Quarterly check-ins give your business structure. They build habits. They force clarity. And over time, they create the kind of momentum that transforms companies.
If you're ready to build this rhythm into your leadership team or want help running your next quarterly planning day—I'd love to help.
Schedule a call at skyzcoach.com
Or email me, Sarah, CEO of Skyz Collective, directly at Sarah@SkyzCoach.com