The Hidden Dangers of Goal Setting

Goals are very useful tools in personal life, in leadership, or in aviation. Setting goals helps us focus our energy and accomplish more. Effective leaders set goals to plan and execute multiple tasks; establishing goals helps to energize and motivate a team. Goals abound in the world of aviation; every flight involves a series of intermediate goals that culminate in arriving at one’s destination.

Stephen Covey, the respected expert on personal effectiveness, has published many books and articles on the importance of goal setting and provides direction on the elements of meaningful goals. The many benefits of goals are well understood, but there are dangers in excess focus on goals.

1.    Missed Opportunities:

Concentrating on a specific goal may result in lost opportunities. This phenomenon is well known in personal life, through the catchphrase, “stop and smell the roses.” In the business world, the time and energy that are invested in achieving a specific goal may cause a leader to miss an opportunity to derive even greater benefit for the organization. When a significant investment has been made to achieve a specific outcome, it’s very difficult to pause or alter a course in order to accomplish something else that could hold even greater potential. 

Small Airports Can Be Interesting
Photo by Jamey Gauthier

Aviators frequently learn this lesson by chance. A pilot may plan to land at an airport that offers a gleaming pilot lounge with lots of free popcorn. However, weather can force a diversion to a sleepy airfield with little in the way of amenities. The pilot may be surprised and pleased to encounter superior service, or a chance to share stories local characters, including seasoned, senior pilots who enjoy passing time at these small airports.

2.    Misdirected Energy:

A recent study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology found that excess goal focus causes exhaustion that can overwhelm some team members. Ironically, those who are high achievers thrive under goal-focused leaders, but workers who need strong direction and close supervision may not. A constant and relentless drive to goals could result in disengagement of the slow and steady workers who are important members of any team. Leaders can compensate by maintaining awareness of the physical and emotional state of each team member. A temporary pause or willingness to set aside a goal may save the team from disintegrating.

Pilots who concentrate on certain goals may have a similar experience. Those who fly generally enjoy introducing others to the joy of flight. However,the passion that fuels a pilot may not be shared by passengers, especially those new to flying. Rather than planning a long flight, pilots should consider introducing others to flight through short, comfortable jaunts. Allowing the passenger to establish the parameters for the flight may seem counter intuitive, but it follows the logic described in the leadership situation above. Different people have different comfort levels.

3.    Failure to Recognize Limitations:

The term “stretch goal” is used in business to describe goals that test the limits of an individual, a team or an organization. This kind of goal can be exciting, challenging and rewarding. However, stretch goals must be used with an abundance of caution. Testing limits can create problems and human pride may cause an individual or a team to discount the impact of limitations or difficulties that are encountered. Leaders who use stretch goals to develop team members must be willing to check in more frequently, provide closer supervision and quickly implement a contingency plan if the project – or the individual – shows signs of derailing.

The aviation world has a specific term for this situation. It is called “get-there-itis,” and refers to the drive to arrive at one’s destination, irrespective of external factors that may make it difficult or impossible to do so. Get-there-itis can be fatal for pilots, as evidenced by the John F. Kennedy crash in 1999.  Although it is more likely to occur in less experienced pilots, get-there-itis can impact even the most seasoned aviator. The cure? Understand, recognize, and above all, accept personal, equipment, weather or other limitations. Just as the leader needs a contingency plan when using a stretch goal, a good pilot always has an escape plan and knows when to use it.

Setting goals can help us concentrate on the activities that are most important and offer the highest value for leaders and teams. The world of aviation offers valuable lessons on the dangers of excessive goal focus. Understanding when to pause in the pursuit of a goal, or set a goal entirely aside may result in a more successful outcome than an unwavering commitment to achieve a goal according to a predetermined plan.

Those who wish to learn more about goal setting or the impact of excessive goal focus can learn more through the following resources. Focus: Achieving Your Highest Priorities, by Stephen Covey and Stephen Jones is an audiobook and toolkit designed to provide a new way of thinking about personal and professional focus and accomplishment.  JFK Jr. – 10 Years After the Crash, A Pilot’s Perspective is authored by Dr. Douglas Lonnstrom. Using the Kennedy accident as a case study, the book examines the events and circumstances that all pilots should recognize before starting any flight.