10 Questions Every Female Leader Should Ask When Setting Goals

For women in higher ed leadership, goal setting isn’t just about deadlines and metrics. It’s about navigating institutional demands, personal growth, and often, let’s be honest, carrying the weight of being one of the few women or women of color in the room.

The pressure is real. The expectations are high. And the last thing you need is another generic goal-setting worksheet that doesn't account for your lived experience or leadership reality.

Why Summer Is the Perfect Time to Reassess

Summer break offers a rare pocket of breathing room, no back-to-back meetings, no campus emergencies, and (hopefully) a slower pace that lets you think. It's the ideal season to pause, reflect, and refocus your goals for the year ahead. Instead of rushing into the next academic year on autopilot, why not use this time to set goals that feel aligned, energized, and sustainable?

So instead of diving straight into SMART goals or annual benchmarks, try slowing down and asking yourself these 10 more profound questions. They’ll help you set goals that matter and that you can stick with, even when things get complicated.

1. What do I want to be different by the end of this year, and why does it matter to me?

Start with purpose. Ask yourself what truly needs to change or evolve in your leadership, team, or life. Go beyond “what” and ask why it matters. That clarity will keep you grounded when the inevitable chaos hits.

2. Does this goal align with the institution’s priorities, and do those align with mine?

This one’s tricky. As a leader, you need to consider the institution’s goals. But it’s also okay to admit when something doesn’t feel aligned. The sweet spot? Find shared ground where your personal and institutional values overlap, and build goals from that place.

3. Am I setting this goal to grow or to prove something?

There’s a difference between growth and validation. Are you chasing this goal because it excites you, or because you feel like you should? Women in leadership are often pushed to overachieve for acceptance. Let’s break that cycle and lead from authenticity, not obligation.

4. What would success look like for me?

This question is deceptively hard. Adopting someone else’s version of success is manageable: title, salary, accolades. But what if success means more time with your family? Feeling less exhausted? Mentoring more women? Define it for you, and write it down.

5. What will I let go of to make space for this goal?

We can’t do it all. Period. If you’re saying yes to this goal, what do you need to say no to? Delegating more? Letting go of perfectionism? Skipping that extra committee? Your capacity is finite. Choose with intention.

6. Who do I need support from, and have I asked for it?

Leadership doesn’t mean doing it alone. Ask yourself who can help: a coach, a mentor, or your team. Don’t wait until burnout forces you to delegate or reach out; build support into your plan now.

7. How will I track my progress, and how often will I check in?

Without check-ins, goals turn into wish lists. Set a schedule: weekly, monthly, or quarterly. Use a planner (like the one I designed for executive women), a notebook, or a shared document. Whatever works for you, just commit to checking in.

8. What would it look like to do this without burning out?

Burnout isn’t a badge of honor. It’s a warning sign. When setting your goals, ask yourself how to pursue them without sacrificing your well-being. Build in self-care, breaks, and boundaries from day one.

9. What beliefs might sabotage this goal, and how will I work through them?

This is where mindset matters. Are you secretly thinking, “I’m not ready for this,” or “Someone else could do this better”? Identify those thoughts early, and plan how to challenge them. Confidence is built through awareness and action.

10. If I achieve this goal, what will it unlock for me and others?

This is your “so what.” Your motivation. What’s the ripple effect of this goal? Will it open new doors? Model leadership for other women? Improve student outcomes? Make this part of your vision. You’re not just achieving something, you’re leading something.

Real Goals Start With Real Questions

Setting goals isn’t just a checkbox exercise. Especially not for women leading in higher education, where the stakes are high, and the support systems are often thin.

Real, effective, sustainable goals require reflection, courage, and alignment with both who you are and where you're going.

The 10 questions above aren’t meant to overwhelm you but to give you clarity. So the next time you sit down to map out your semester, leadership goals, or even your next career move, come back to these questions.

And if you want support as you answer them? That’s where I come in.

Need Help with Your Goals?

If you're ready to stop setting goals that fizzle out and start setting goals that fuel your growth, now is the perfect time to work with a coach who gets the nuances of being a woman in higher ed leadership.

Book a free discovery call with me to explore how coaching can give you clarity, structure, and the strategy to move forward, without the overwhelm.

Let’s build a leadership journey that works for you.