The relationship between pathways and goals

Goals imply commitment to assumptions. We assume some end state is the best we can do and is achievable with the schedule, activities and costs we assume will work. Our commitment to these assumptions shuts down our openness to other possibilities. Openness would constitute failure to reach the goal.

Pathways are future directions we are attracted to as good. We are open to multiple and agile pathways. Our commitment is to our questions empowered by our continously unfolding unknowns. They are not assumption based in any way. We move forward on the power of our questions.

Goals and fixed mindsets

Unless we translate goals into new questions, they can lead to fixed mindsets. Our commitment to  specific, predictable, near view outcomes can preclude mindful and agile attention to new possibilities to get to the same longer view outcomes. The further out we go in defining the long view good we seek, the richer our potential for a growth mindset. The more we translate direction into new questions, the more growth mindset we engage.

Why goals don't work

As much as leaders place superstitious faith in goals, teams are more perspired than inspired by them. Goals provoke self-doubt that brings about risk aversion. Goals require confidence and constant adaptation. Over 80% of goals fail. Every day goals aren't met, self-doubt and risk aversion becomes stronger.

The opposite is defining the good we seek together and translating this into the next step of progress possible. In many stories of this approach, teams exceed would have been goals. Progress provokes confidence and adaptability. We adjust our approach with each new step in progress. 

The magic of a progress approach is how it creates more velocity and alignment.