Stretch Goals

Knowledge Center

What are Stretch Goals? Meaning.

Stretch Goals is a term coined by Jack Welch at GE to denote those objectives which are seemingly unobtainable with present resources. By specifying the "unattainable", people are required to "think outside the box", and able to improve performance by a magnitude they had never thought possible.

If done right, a stretch target, which basically is an extremely ambitious goal, gets people to perform in ways they never imagined possible. But if the organization does not provide their people with the knowledge, tools, and means to meet such ambitious goals, the effects of setting Stretch Goals can be outright disastrous.

Some generic advice on working with Stretch Goals is:

• By definition, Stretch Goals are very difficult to meet. So don't punish people for not achieving them.
• Don't set goals that stretch your employees crazily.
• Understand that stretch targets can unexpectedly affect other parts of the organization.
• Don't give tough Stretch Goals to people already pushing themselves to the limit.
• Share the wealth generated by reaching Stretch Goals.

Forum - Stretch Goals   Discussions about Stretch Goals.   Examples of Stretch Goals What are some examples of stretched goals? (...)         Don't Overstretch your Strategy Often stretch goals are abused to push people for unrealistic goals. In that case employees see stretch goals as a threa (...)           Quotes on Goals and Setting Goals Let’s collect the best, famous or funny quotes on goal setting… Please share them as a reaction to this posting and ment (...)           Disadvantages of Setting Stretch Goals In an article by Ordóñez et al. the main disadvantages of Stretch Goals (SG) are described: 1. Increased dissatisfactio (...)

Expert Tips - Stretch Goals Here you will find advices by experts.   Effective Top Management Teams in Multinationals. Requirements and Characteristics Board of Directors, Leadership Teams, Multinationals, Top Team Management (...)

Resources - Stretch Goals Here you find powerpoint presentations, micro-learning videos and further information sources. Goal Setting: Purpose, Models and Steps Goal Setting, FRAME Model, SMART Goals, Motivation, Commitment (...)   3 Practical Ways to Deal with Stress Coping with Stress, Avoiding Stress, Emotional Intelligence, Stress Management (...)

Compare with: CSFs and KPIs  |  Management by Objectives  |  Result Oriented Management  |  Balanced Scorecard  |  Strategy Maps  |  Catalytic Mechanisms  |  Path-Goal Theory  |  Expectancy Theory  |  Illusion of Control Bias  |  Incentives  |  Peter Principle  |  Span of Control  |  Time Management

Return to Management Hub: Human Resources  |  Leadership  |  Strategy

More on Management  |  Return to Management Dictionary  | 

This ends our Stretch Goals summary and forum.