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| Vol.3.74 | |
The Goals Assumptionby Vince PoscenteAuthor of The Ant and the Elephant, Invinceable Principles and The Age of Speed Goals are overrated and sometimes hazardous. Let's examine the goals assumption. If you watched the 81st Academy Awards, did you notice how many winners declared they never, remotely dreamed they'd receive the honor. Oscar goals weren't mentioned. The only glimmer of a goal was Kate Winslet's childhood flashback of holding a shampoo bottle as if it were an Oscar. But aren't BHAGs (Big Hairy Audacious Goals) stuff of corporate legend? Look no further than JFK's declaration, "...this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth," as the power of goals. Yet, we humans can take convenient examples of shampoo bottles or lunar excursions and turn them into broad fact faster than Joaquin Phoenix can crater his career. Look at Enron's unbounded mission to hit sales volume goals. It's 2002 self destruction had much to do with sales that were neither substantive or turned a profit. Consider Sears' 1990's management decree of a $147 per auto repair average. The net effect was an embarrassing roll of over-charges and a customer-relations nightmare. Goals aren't all bad. It's just unhealthy, if not dangerous to think they are all good. In 1969 Ford executive, Lee Iacocca boldly threw down the gauntlet to his team of engineers. In their haste to meet a corporate goal, engineers overlooked safety measures regarding the rear axel's 10 inch proximity to the fuel tank. Rear end accidents resulted in 53 deaths and a slew of lawsuits. Goals start with the greatest of intentions. For example, "No Child Left Behind." What a great goal! But the measurement of the goal became more important than the kids involved. Before long, some teachers just focused on questions appearing on the exams. Records were falsified - just to reach the goal. Still, few will let go of the goal assumption: Goals are good. We must have goals. BIG goals. Dogged determination. Unbending will. (And throw in a little invincibility a.k.a. "My wings are like a shield of steel. Your bullets cannot harm me.") So what's a Goal Getter to do?
Finally, don't always assume you must have a goal. If you combine a passion for what you do with a mission to enrich other's lives while living authentically - you'll have found the fastest way to reach a goal you didn't know you had. Until next week it’s full speed ahead,
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© 2010 Vince Poscente. All Rights Reserved. |
To compete with low cost imports Ford would design a car weighing less than 2,000 lbs, sold for less than $2,000 in time for the 1971 Auto Show. Remember the Pinto? 