Big, Hairy, Audacious Goals (BHAGs): How Successful Leaders Drive Innovation

In this issue:

• What is a BHAG?
• The Science Behind BHAGs
• How to Set a BHAG
• Strategies to Achieve Your BHAG
• Common Mistakes To Avoid
• Download Your BHAG Worksheets!
• Recommended Resources
• Try This Simple Exercise

I vividly remember a one-on-one meeting I was having with my Senior Vice President several years ago. I had made a solid presentation to him earlier in the day highlighting some major wins and how the team had delivered ahead of schedule.

In my one-on-one meeting, after acknowledging the work, he looked me dead in the eyes and asked, “What’s the boldest goal we have set this year?”

For a few seconds, I froze. I couldn’t think of anything.

The truth was, while we had had a stellar year, we hadn’t set any “bold” goals. We had been playing it safe — comfortable goals that we knew we could achieve.

That question stayed with me for days until I finally came across the concept of Big Hairy Audacious Goals (BHAGs). It was the answer I was looking for.

What is a BHAG?

Big Hairy Audacious Goals — or BHAGs — were coined by Jim Collins and Jerry Porras in their book Built to Last.