(2023-04-23) Cutler Tbm216 Good Goals Bad Goals

John Cutler: TBM 216: Good Goals/Bad Goals. In my experience, SMART is only the tip of the iceberg. OKRs, to their benefit, seek to encourage some positive goal-setting habits, but ultimately they are still goals

A good goal is an enabling constraint

A bad goal either constrains us negatively, fails to provide focus, or both.

A good goal is something we can influence with our actions while at the same time limiting negative externalities

A bad goal is either not directly influenceable or is directly influenceable at the expense of sustainable results.

A good goal increases the number of "good" yesses and decreases the number of "bad" yesses. It helps individuals and teams to push back on distractions and reactive requests. A bad goal has no "bite" or weight. It becomes the top priority among a whole sea of other top priorities.

A good goal includes necessary context

A bad goal exists on an island, and no one knows why it matters or what assumptions must remain true for it to matter

good goal is adaptable and flexible

A bad goal is rigid and inflexible

A good goal triggers reflection and fosters creative thinking. It is "strategically ambiguous,"—causing people to think twice, avoid premature convergence, and consider opposing options. A good goal is a good match for the complexity of the task at hand. A bad goal is overly simplistic.

A good goal is coherent with the team's values, passions, and aspirations

Achieving a bad goal leaves people feeling disconnected, disillusioned, and unfulfilled.

A good goal brings people together, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose. A bad goal encourages unhealthy competition and divisiveness

A good goal does not sacrifice meaningfulness for measurability

Bad goals stick with "safe measures," afraid to take a stand and accept some subjectivity in exchange for impact.

A good goal is a tool, and it works for the team

Bad goals are imposed, performative, and done "just because."

Setting bad goals are worse than having no goals at all.

As a general rule ask, “what types of behaviors will this goal encourage?”