Often when we set goals, the goal is not really the goal.
Each goal is building to something larger.
The ultimate goal.
Sometimes we are aware of that goal.
Sometimes we aren’t.
Finding the Real Goal
To understand the goal that our goals are laddering up to, we need to ask one question:
What is the goal of this goal?
What does the goal achieve?
Once we know the answer to this question, we ask it again.
What is the goal of the higher-level goal?
Eventually, we get to the ultimate goal.
The core reason why all the other goals matter.
Goals in Organizations
Often goals on teams within large organizations are sub goals.
Possibly sub, sub, sub, sub goals depending on organization size.
We can feel like we aren’t doing work that matters.
Yet, we are.
We are part of a system.
Everyone is working on goals that are a part of something bigger.
Meeting our goals is a piece of achieving the ultimate goal.
The “goal of the goal” questions help us understand what we support.
What is that high level goal that our work ladders up to.
We begin to understand our piece of the corporate puzzle.
And, why it matters.
Your Turn
Do you see where your work makes an impact to your organization?
How do your goals ladder up to those of the organization?
How can you use this exercise to clarify or even expand your own goals?