Let the Wind Guide You: The Problem with Fixed Goals in a Complex World
Success is not about following a map, it’s about moving forward.
In many organizations, we still live by a familiar rhythm: define the goals, track the KPIs, and measure success by how well we stick to the plan. We call them OKRs, SMART targets, strategic goals. They give us direction, alignment, and accountability. Or so we hope.
But here’s the hard truth: in the complex and fast-changing world we live in, what many call the VUCA world (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous), these fixed goals often become more of a trap than a guide.
They offer a false sense of control.
Sailing with a Map that Doesn’t Match the Sea
Let me offer a metaphor.
Imagine you're on a sailing boat in open water. You’ve planned your course carefully. The map says "north," so you set your sails and prepare to head in that direction.
But then the wind shifts. The sea currents pull differently. A storm is forming to the east.
Now, what do you do?
If you insist on going north no matter what, if you fight the wind, ignore the current, and grip your sails with white knuckles, you might make some progress. But more likely, you’ll get stuck. You’ll burn energy, time, and morale, all for the sake of a direction that no longer fits reality.
And worst of all, you’ll stop learning.
The Agile Sailor Thinks Differently
The experienced sailor doesn’t force the boat to follow the plan at all costs. They work with the environment, not against it. They observe the wind, read the sea, and adjust the sails accordingly without losing sight of the broader purpose.
They remain responsive, curious, and adaptive.
That’s exactly what we need in organizations today.
Instead of obsessing over whether we hit 90% of last quarter’s OKRs, we should be asking:
What has changed since we set these goals?
What are we learning as we move?
Are we still headed toward our purpose, or just ticking boxes?
Are we using the wind we have now or still waiting for the wind we wanted?
From Control to Curiosity
Fixed goals make sense when the world is stable. But in complexity, the most effective leaders and teams don’t just set a destination, they learn their way forward. They stay curious. They pivot when needed. They embrace emergence.
This doesn’t mean drifting aimlessly. It means letting go of control in order to gain momentum.
It’s about building a culture where sense-making, feedback, and adaptation matter more than compliance to a plan written months ago.
So… What If We Sailed Differently?
What if we treated strategies more like hypotheses, and goals more like flexible compasses?
What if we rewarded navigators, not just plan-followers?
What if we let go of the illusion that control equals progress—and instead trusted our ability to learn, adapt, and flow with the wind?
The next time you’re in a goal-setting meeting, pause for a moment.
Look around. Ask: What’s the wind right now? Where is the current trying to take us?
Because in the end, success is not about following a map, it’s about moving forward.
Even when the route surprises us.
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