Raise the Bar Not the Stress Level
As a leader, you know the power of setting ambitious goals. Whether they’re KPIs, OKRs, or some other metric, these targets are designed to drive your team toward growth, innovation, and success. But as we kick off another year of striving for greatness, here’s a question worth considering: Are Your Necessary Targets Causing Unnecessary Stress?
Think about it. Are the goals you’re setting inspiring your team or exhausting them?
Your top performers, the ones who consistently rise to the occasion, will push themselves hard to hit those targets. But what happens when the bar keeps rising without any recovery or time to recalibrate? What happens when “what’s next” becomes more overwhelming than motivating?
This isn’t burnout in the traditional sense, it’s something I call “Excellence Exhaustion”.
I am adding this term to the discussion to we can reframe the thinking about Burnout.
Burnout is often characterized by disengagement, apathy, and a sense of defeat. Excellence exhaustion, on the other hand, is what happens when high achievers push themselves relentlessly in the pursuit of goals, to the point where their drive begins to work against them.
These individuals aren’t checking out, they’re checking every box, going above and beyond, and delivering exceptional results. But beneath the surface, they’re running on empty, sacrificing their well-being in the name of success.
The Risk of Raising the Bar Too High
I do love a big, hairy, gnarly goal. I get it. As a leader, it’s natural to want to keep raising the bar. After all, that’s how growth happens. But here’s the catch: if your targets create unnecessary stress, you risk undermining the very excellence you’re trying to achieve. When stress becomes the dominant emotion tied to goals, it doesn’t just impact performance, it erodes morale, creativity, and long-term engagement.
Setting Goals That Inspire, Not Exhaust
So how can you ensure your targets drive performance without draining your people? It starts with reframing how you think about goal-setting:
1.Align Goals with Purpose
Ensure your team understands *why* each target matters. Take the time to talk about them before you throw them out there. When people see the bigger picture and how their work contributes to something meaningful, they’re more likely to feel motivated and less likely to feel overwhelmed.
2.Balance Stretch and Support
Ambitious goals are important, but so is equipping your team with the resources, support, and mindset needed to achieve them. Consider whether your people have what they need, not just to hit the target, but to thrive while doing so.
3.Celebrate Progress Along the Way
Don’t let the focus on “what’s next” overshadow what’s already been achieved. Acknowledging milestones and wins creates momentum and helps your team feel valued, not just measured. Be sure to lead with that!
4.Reframe Challenges as Opportunities
Help your team see goals as opportunities to grow and excel, rather than obstacles to overcome. This shift in perspective can transform stress into excitement and engagement. (This is where I come in – I have a fantastic keynote that can help get your people motivated and get them in the right mindset to tackle the next big thing)
The Bottom Line, If you’re a leader setting new targets for 2025, it’s worth asking whether your goals are helping or hurting your team. Are they inspiring excellence or contributing to exhaustion?
Your people want to rise to the occasion, and your best and brightest will do so time and time again. But Sustainable Success requires more than raising the bar. It requires setting the stage for your team to thrive.
This year, let your goals be a source of motivation, not stress. Lead with clarity, purpose, and empathy. Because when your team is energized, supported, and inspired, their excellence knows no limits. You Got This!
*Visit my website for more insights on reframing goals, overcoming excellence exhaustion, and empowering your team to thrive in the face of challenges.