In today’s organizations we often hear the common term “stretch goals” but what are they really? Have they been well defined? This term is as elusive as the term “executive presence” what is it or rather what is it not?
Recently, I have been doing research on the topic of goals. In an article titled ” The Paradox of Stretch Goals: Organization in Pursuit of the Seemingly Impossible, by Duke researcher Dr. Sim Sitkins and colleagues define a stretch goal “as an organizational goal with an objective probability of attainment that may be unknown but is seemingly impossible given current capabilities (ie., current practices, skills and knowledge).”
In other words, a stretch goal then, is a seemingly impossible goal given your current knowledge and capabilities.
Today, ask yourself is the goal “seemingly impossible” if not then the goal is not a stretch goal.
Have a great Monday!!