{
  "title": "Stretch goals: what research says about their effects",
  "url": "https://www.shr.swiss/blog/objectifs-ambitieux-ce-que-la-recherche-dit-de-leurs-effets-en",
  "language": "en",
  "datePublished": "2026-09-25",
  "publisher": {
    "name": "SHR — Swiss Human Resources",
    "url": "https://www.shr.swiss",
    "address": "Esplanade de Pont-Rouge 9A, 1212 Lancy, Suisse"
  },
  "summary": "Specific, difficult goals often improve performance. Research also shows when this lever becomes counter-productive.",
  "section": "Research",
  "topic": "Frontline Management",
  "place": {
    "name": "Geneva",
    "region": "Genève",
    "country": "CH"
  },
  "keyPoints": [
    {
      "heading": "The most robust finding",
      "point": "Edwin Locke and Gary Latham (2002, American Psychologist) synthesise decades of work: specific, difficult goals are associated with higher performance than vague instructions such as “do your best”, provided the person is committed and receives feedback on progress.."
    },
    {
      "heading": "Conditions that limit the effect",
      "point": "The same authors note that the effect weakens on complex, novel tasks: an outcome goal set too early can divert attention from learning."
    },
    {
      "heading": "The documented downside",
      "point": "Lisa Ordóñez and colleagues (2009, Academy of Management Perspectives) highlight side effects: narrow focus, excessive risk-taking, unethical behaviour to hit the number."
    },
    {
      "heading": "What follows for management",
      "point": "The issue is goal design: specificity, difficulty, type (outcome or learning) and follow-up."
    },
    {
      "heading": "A practical implication, verifiable in-house",
      "point": "Reread a team's annual goals and classify each: specific or vague, outcome or learning, with or without a dated checkpoint."
    }
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "authors": "Latham",
      "year": "2002",
      "source": "American Psychologist"
    }
  ],
  "wordCount": 251,
  "image": "https://www.shr.swiss/img/blog-editorial-2026-09-25-en.jpg?v=4",
  "translations": {
    "fr": "https://www.shr.swiss/blog/objectifs-ambitieux-ce-que-la-recherche-dit-de-leurs-effets",
    "en": "https://www.shr.swiss/blog/objectifs-ambitieux-ce-que-la-recherche-dit-de-leurs-effets-en",
    "de": "https://www.shr.swiss/blog/objectifs-ambitieux-ce-que-la-recherche-dit-de-leurs-effets-de",
    "it": "https://www.shr.swiss/blog/objectifs-ambitieux-ce-que-la-recherche-dit-de-leurs-effets-it"
  },
  "relatedPages": {
    "programme": "https://www.shr.swiss/formation/management-de-proximite/geneve",
    "city": "https://www.shr.swiss/formations-ville/geneve",
    "blog": "https://www.shr.swiss/blog"
  },
  "citationPolicy": "Citation autorisée avec mention « SHR — Swiss Human Resources » et lien vers l'article."
}