Modern Leadership & The Science of Change

#02 When SMART Goals Become Dumb, Acting on Values, And The Hidden Costs of Chasing Outcomes

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In this episode, Ramon and Divya dive into the limitations of traditional goal-setting frameworks, particularly SMART goals, and explore why they may be more helpful for short-term actions than for big-picture, high-level aspirations. They unpack how applying rigid frameworks to complex goals (like health, relationships, or business success) can actually backfire, leading to frustration, self-judgment, or even value conflicts.

They explore:

  • Why SMART goals work best for specific actions, not emotional or abstract goals.
  • The importance of distinguishing between values and goals—and why mixing them up causes confusion.
  • How attachment to outcomes (e.g., “$20K per month” or “7kg in 12 weeks”) can lead to emotional burnout or poor decisions.
  • A simple but powerful reframe: shift from "goal setting" to "value-driven actions".
  • The impact of language: how using the client’s own words (e.g., aspirations, dreams, ideals) can unlock clarity.
  • A helpful mental model: What’s helpful vs. unhelpful about your current way of thinking? They also touch on identity, emotion regulation, and how coaching conversations help uncover the real “why” behind goals.

    • Whether you're a coach, leader, manager, or just someone trying to figure out what you want, this episode is full of insights and real-life examples.

    BrainFirst Institute: https://www.brainfirstinstitute.com

    Connect with Ramon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thepeakexecutive

    Connect with Divya on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachdivya

     

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    Modern Leadership & The Science of ChangeBy BrainFirst® Institute