Goals and targets can have a profound impact on organizational behavior. They can be drive improvements – helping align objectives and achieve higher performance than would otherwise be possible. However, they also have a dark side, with the potential for dysfunctional behaviors as individuals attempt to meet unattainable goals.
This collection of articles explores the impact of goals and targets within organizations.
Latest articles on goals and targets
Stretch goals: The impact of setting high performance targets
Stretch goals – an additional higher target – can play in motivating increased performance. This article explores some of the consequences of stretch targets.
Celebrating achieving targets: Ways of rewarding goal attainment
This article explores approaches for rewarding goal attainment, and how incentives can influence individual behaviors.
The role of targets: How goals can improve organizational performance
This article explores some of the ways that setting goals can drive organizational success – from increased focus to driving additional employee effort.
When targets go wrong: How goals can lead to negative behaviors and outcomes
This article explores some of the dysfunctional behaviors that organizational targets and incentives can result in.
Setting performance targets: Key things to consider
Performance targets can have a powerful impact on employee behaviors – this article considers their role, limitations, and things to be aware of when setting targets.
Setting objectives for your startup: Key startup milestones
This article explores key startup objectives – the goals that are useful to help keep launching your business on track.
The benefits and disadvantages of high performance targets
High-performance targets can be very powerful – they can motivate creative solutions, but also have potentially negative consequences. This article explores both sides of having high-performance targets.
Making performance visible: Prominently displaying current performance levels
This article explores reasons for making performance levels easily viewable and prominently displayed, and how visibility can increase performance.
Stretch goals: The impact of setting high performance targets
Stretch goals – an additional higher target – can play in motivating increased performance. This article explores some of the consequences of stretch targets.
Celebrating achieving targets: Ways of rewarding goal attainment
This article explores approaches for rewarding goal attainment, and how incentives can influence individual behaviors.
The role of targets: How goals can improve organizational performance
This article explores some of the ways that setting goals can drive organizational success – from increased focus to driving additional employee effort.
When targets go wrong: How goals can lead to negative behaviors and outcomes
This article explores some of the dysfunctional behaviors that organizational targets and incentives can result in.
Setting performance targets: Key things to consider
Performance targets can have a powerful impact on employee behaviors – this article considers their role, limitations, and things to be aware of when setting targets.
Setting objectives for your startup: Key startup milestones
This article explores key startup objectives – the goals that are useful to help keep launching your business on track.
The benefits and disadvantages of high performance targets
High-performance targets can be very powerful – they can motivate creative solutions, but also have potentially negative consequences. This article explores both sides of having high-performance targets.
Making performance visible: Prominently displaying current performance levels
This article explores reasons for making performance levels easily viewable and prominently displayed, and how visibility can increase performance.