Understanding Big Hairy Audacious Goals
A Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG) is basically a giant, wild goal your company sets to shake things up and aim higher. It’s not your average “let’s increase sales by 10%” kind of goal. Nope, this is the kind of ambitious target that makes people go, “Wait, we’re doing what?” But that’s the point—it’s meant to push boundaries, challenge the status quo, and light a fire under everyone involved.
Think of a BHAG as the moonshot plan that gets your team excited about the future. It’s not just about checking off a box; it’s about creating momentum, building a culture that thrives on ambition, and letting your team’s creative juices flow. BHAGs are the long-term, “this could actually change everything” type of goals that make your company move, grow, and maybe sweat a little.
The term was coined in Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies by Jim Collins and Jerry Porras back in 1994. And let’s be real, it’s a concept that’s held up. Why? Because BHAGs give your team a clear finish line and a rallying cry that aligns your mission with your values. Highly visionary companies leverage these bold missions to drive progress and create significant organizational momentum.
Plus, they’re way more effective (and fun) than those boring, generic corporate statements no one remembers anyway. Traditional corporate statements are often verbose and lack clarity, whereas a BHAG is straightforward and stimulating, encouraging organizational progress and team engagement. So, if your goal doesn’t make you slightly nervous and ridiculously excited, it might be time to go bigger.
Characteristics of Big Hairy Audacious Goals
A BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) isn’t just some boring checkbox on your strategic to-do list—it’s a stretch goal that makes you rethink everything. It’s the kind of goal that forces your team to innovate, adapt, and maybe even find new ways to do things because your usual approach just won’t cut it. Think of it as that one friend who convinces you to sign up for a marathon when you’ve only ever jogged to catch a bus. Uncomfortable? Sure. Worth it? Definitely.
Now, your BHAG shouldn’t be some random, pie-in-the-sky dream. It needs to align with your company’s mission and values so you’re not chasing something shiny that has nothing to do with who you are. And yeah, it should be hard (it’s called audacious for a reason), but not so impossible that everyone gives up before lunch. Even the most optimistic scientific assessment might view it as a long shot, but that’s the point.
Such a bold commitment can be seen in the four flavors of BHAG: role model (be like Beyoncé, but for your industry), common enemy (take down the competition like the scrappy underdog you are), targeting (aim for a specific, slightly terrifying goal), and internal transformation (become a completely different, better version of yourselves). Pick the one that fits your organization’s vibe, and go all in.
At the end of the day, a BHAG should excite you, terrify you just a little, and make you want to high-five your team when you figure out how to tackle it. So, what’s yours?
Setting a Big Hairy Audacious Goal
Setting a Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG) is like planting a flag on the moon for your organization. It’s a bold declaration that says, “We’re here to make a difference, and we’re not afraid to aim high.” But how do you go about setting such a transformative goal? Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started:
Define Your Vision: Begin by clearly defining your organization’s vision and mission statement. This is your North Star, guiding you towards what you want to achieve and the impact you want to make. Think about what success looks like for your company in the long run.
Identify Your Goals: Next, identify the goals that align with your vision and mission. These should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). This ensures that your goals are not just lofty dreams but actionable targets.
Make It Bold: A BHAG should be audacious and ambitious. It should push your organization to think outside the box and strive for something bigger. This is not the time for modesty—dream big and aim high.
Make It Clear: Clarity is key. Your BHAG should be easy to understand and remember. It should be a rallying cry that everyone in your organization can get behind.
Make It Compelling: Finally, your BHAG should be compelling and inspiring. It should ignite passion and creativity within your team, motivating them to work harder and think more innovatively.
Examples of BHAGs that have made history include:
NASA’s goal: “Land a person on the moon and return them safely to Earth.” This BHAG not only pushed the boundaries of human achievement but also united a nation.
Google’s goal: “Organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.” This ambitious goal has transformed how we access and use information.
Meta’s goal: “Make the world more open and connected.” This BHAG has revolutionized social interaction on a global scale.
By setting a BHAG, you’re not just setting a goal—you’re creating a unifying focal point that can stimulate forward progress and drive your organization towards extraordinary success.
Achieving a Big Hairy Audacious Goal
Achieving a Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG) is no small feat. It requires dedication, perseverance, and a strategic approach. Here are some tips to help you turn your audacious dream into reality:
Break It Down: A BHAG can seem overwhelming if you look at it as one giant leap. Break it down into smaller, manageable goals. This creates a roadmap that makes the journey less daunting and more achievable.
Create a Plan: Develop a detailed plan outlining the steps needed to achieve your BHAG. Identify the resources, skills, and expertise required. This plan will serve as your blueprint, guiding you through the process.
Assign Responsibilities: Delegate tasks and responsibilities to team members. Ensure that everyone understands their role and how it contributes to the larger goal. This fosters a sense of ownership and accountability.
Track Progress: Regularly monitor your progress towards the BHAG. Celebrate milestones and successes along the way, and learn from any setbacks. This keeps the momentum going and helps you stay on track.
Stay Focused: It’s easy to get distracted by day-to-day operations and other priorities. Stay committed to your BHAG by keeping it at the forefront of your organization’s efforts. Remind your team of the bigger picture and the impact of achieving this goal.
Examples of companies that have successfully achieved their BHAGs include:
NASA’s successful moon landing in 1969: This monumental achievement was the result of meticulous planning, teamwork, and unwavering focus.
Google’s organization of the world’s information: Through continuous innovation and dedication, Google has made information accessible to billions of people worldwide.
Meta’s creation of a global social network: By staying true to their vision, Meta has connected people across the globe, transforming how we communicate and share information.
Achieving a BHAG is a journey filled with challenges and triumphs. But with a clear plan, dedicated team, and relentless focus, you can turn your audacious goal into a reality.
Overcoming Obstacles and Staying Motivated
A BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) is like the ultimate dare for your business—it’s bold, it’s challenging, and it’s the thing that gets everyone out of bed in the morning (well, that and coffee). It’s not just about aiming high; it’s about giving your team a shared mission, a reason to high-five awkwardly in the break room.
The magic of a BHAG? It gets everyone fired up. It pushes your team to think bigger, work smarter, and maybe even tolerate that one guy who always steals the last donut. Plus, it forces you to stay on your toes because, let’s be real, the world isn’t exactly standing still. Creativity and adaptability become your new besties, helping you stay ahead of the competition and dodge those “Wait, what just happened?” moments.
Measuring Success and Evaluating Progress
A BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) isn’t the only way to spark progress, but visionary companies seem to have a thing for them. Why? Because setting bold, borderline ridiculous goals is kind of their jam—they know it’s a sure-fire way to push the envelope and drive success.
Sure, a BHAG might sound impossible—like running a marathon when you get winded climbing stairs. But here’s the thing: even chasing something that feels out of reach can lead to major breakthroughs. The pursuit itself forces innovation and progress as you tackle challenges head-on and aim for the “impossible.” Who knows? You might just surprise yourself.
Pro tip: Don’t just set your BHAG and cross your fingers. Use a goal-setting tool to keep track of it (because sticky notes aren’t going to cut it), and check your progress regularly. Think of it as your reality check to make sure you’re still on track and not accidentally chasing squirrels instead of your big goal. Baby steps, regular tweaks, and consistent focus—that’s how you’ll turn that audacious dream into something closer to reality.
Measuring success and evaluating progress are crucial, and having a clear vision statement can guide you in this journey. A vision statement, while sometimes less audacious than a BHAG, provides clarity and simplicity in setting organizational objectives.
Big Hairy Audacious Goals vs. Traditional Corporate Statements
Big Hairy Audacious Goals (BHAGs) stand in stark contrast to traditional corporate statements. Here’s how they differ:
Boldness: BHAGs are bold and ambitious. They push the boundaries and challenge the status quo. Traditional corporate statements, on the other hand, are often vague and uninspiring. They lack the audacity needed to provoke forward movement.
Clarity: BHAGs are clear and concise. They provide a specific target that everyone in the organization can understand and rally around. Most corporate statements are long-winded and confusing, making it hard for employees to grasp the core message.
Compelling: BHAGs are compelling and inspiring. They ignite passion and creativity within the team, motivating them to work towards a common goal. Traditional corporate statements are often boring and unengaging, failing to stimulate progress or excitement.
Focus: BHAGs are focused on achieving a specific, ambitious goal. They provide a clear roadmap for success. Traditional corporate statements are often vague and lack direction, making it difficult to align efforts and resources towards a common objective.
Examples of traditional corporate statements include:
“Our mission is to be the best company in the world.”
“Our vision is to make a difference in the world.”
“Our goal is to increase profits and shareholder value.”
These statements are often generic and lack the clarity and focus needed to drive forward progress. They do not provide a unifying focal point or stimulate the immense team spirit required to achieve extraordinary results.
In contrast, BHAGs are bold, clear, compelling, and focused. They create momentum, inspire innovation, and align the organization’s efforts towards a common, ambitious goal. By setting a BHAG, you can transform your organization and achieve success beyond your wildest dreams.
Where did Big Hairy Audacious Goal come from?
Back in 1994, Jim Collins and Jerry Porras dropped their book “Built to Last,” which explored why some companies crush it long-term while others fizzle out. One of their big takeaways? The Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG). Think of it as the kind of goal that makes you gulp nervously but also gets you fired up. These aren’t your boring, cookie-cutter mission statements—they’re bold, ambitious, and designed to push a company forward.
The idea is simple: set a goal so big it feels borderline ridiculous, but do it anyway because it gives your team something epic to rally around. Turns out, this approach worked wonders for the visionary companies they studied. Since then, BHAGs have become a favorite tool for leaders who want to inspire their teams without falling back on corporate jargon. Because let’s face it—“stimulating progress” sounds way cooler than “we made it through another quarterly meeting without falling asleep.”
Conclusion
A Big Hairy Audacious Goal is a powerful tool for achieving success and stimulating progress in your business. By setting a clear and compelling BHAG, organizations can inspire their teams to work towards ambitious goals and achieve extraordinary results. By understanding the characteristics of a BHAG, setting a clear and compelling goal, and overcoming obstacles and staying motivated, you can achieve greatness and make a lasting impact.
FAQ
What are BHAG goals, and why are they considered a particularly powerful mechanism for business leaders?
BHAG goals, or Big Hairy Audacious Goals, are ambitious, clear targets that organizations set to drive long-term success. They are considered a particularly powerful mechanism because they align the organization’s efforts, stimulate creativity, and get people’s juices flowing by inspiring teams to push beyond their limits. This approach helps business leaders foster innovation and overcome challenges facing their organizations.
Why are verbose statements floating around the conference room often hard to remember compared to a BHAG?
Verbose statements floating around the conference room tend to be hard to remember because they lack the clarity and focus that a BHAG provides. A BHAG is concise and compelling, making it easier for team members to understand and rally around. The essential point of a BHAG is to create a unifying vision that is both memorable and actionable.
How did CEO Jack Welch utilize BHAGs to ensure long-term success for his company?
CEO Jack Welch stated that setting BHAGs was crucial for driving long-term success at General Electric. By focusing on clear and ambitious goals, Welch was able to align his team’s efforts and foster a culture of innovation and excellence. This approach allowed the company to achieve significant growth and maintain its competitive edge in its own right.
Matt Santi is an inspiring personal growth and development leader. With over 15 years of experience in business management, HR, and operations, Matt’s career has shaped his passion for guiding individuals on their journey of self-improvement.
As an Eagle Scout, Matt’s dedication to service and community drives his commitment to helping others reach their full potential. He is a self-described personal development enthusiast, always eager to learn and grow from new experiences. Matt’s unique perspective and positive outlook on life influence his approach to writing and coaching others.
Matt’s writing on personal growth and development topics with a straightforward and actionable approach provides readers with practical tools and strategies to help them discover their strengths and abilities. His energy and expertise make him a valuable asset to anyone looking to cultivate a more fulfilling and purposeful life.
