Goals gone wild: The systematic side effects of overprescribing goal setting
Lisa Ordóñez, Maurice Schweitzer, Adam Galinsky and Max Bazerman argue that the benefits of goal setting have been overstated and its systematic side effects largely ignored, even though goal setting is among the most replicated paradigms in management research. They list side effects including a narrow focus that neglects areas without a goal, distorted risk preferences, more unethical behaviour, inhibited learning, damage to organisational culture and reduced intrinsic motivation. They recommend treating goal setting like a powerful medicine, with careful dosing, attention to side effects and close supervision.
Lisa Ordóñez, Maurice Schweitzer, Adam Galinsky and Max Bazerman argue that the benefits of goal setting have been overstated and its systematic side effects largely ignored, even though goal setting is among the most replicated paradigms in management research. They list side effects including a narrow focus that neglects areas without a goal, distorted risk preferences, more unethical behaviour, inhibited learning, damage to organisational culture and reduced intrinsic motivation. They recommend treating goal setting like a powerful medicine, with careful dosing, attention to side effects and close supervision.
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Ordóñez, L. D., Schweitzer, M. E., Galinsky, A. D., & Bazerman, M. H. (2009). Goals gone wild: The systematic side effects of overprescribing goal setting. Academy of Management Perspectives, 23(1), 6-16. doi:10.5465/AMP.2009.37007999 https://doi.org/10.5465/AMP.2009.37007999