Big Hairy Audacious Goals

The last time the stock market experienced a day like Monday, I learned to stay away from all the news channels to which I’m normally drawn. Watching the market tick up, or more often down, can leave my stomach in knots. So, I turned my attention to some other news that wasn’t grabbing headlines . . . news like 61-year old Diana Nyad’s second attempt to swim from Cuba to the Florida Keys.

People of a certain age may recall that Nyad made her first attempt in 1978. Shielded by a shark cage, she then swam 41 hours and 49 minutes, giving up only after rough weather banged her around in the cage. Unwilling to let her dream die, a few years ago, Nyad decided to make another attempt. This time she swam 29 hours. She ended the swim after “realizing the conditions of 5 to 10 knot winds and less than ideal currents.”

Succeed or not, Nyad deserves some respect for setting some darn impressive “BHAGs.” Readers of business books know that BHAG stands for “Big Hairy Audacious Goals.” James Collins and Jerry Porras coined the term in their 1996 article entitled “Building Your Company’s Vision.” According to the authors, these goals are compelling, serve as a unifying focal point of effort, and act as a clear catalyst for team spirit.

In Built to Last, Collins and Porras quantified the importance of BHAGs. Virtually all leading companies consciously develop them. They are equally important for individuals, including interns, summer associates and new hires especially when they start work. Whether you accomplish your goals or not, setting some audacious ones will help you achieve unimagined levels of performance.   
 

 

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