This is an article about approaches to setting goals. Two types of goal setters are discussed: Evolutionary Goal-Setters and Revolutionary Goal-Setters. Although people usually have a portfolio of evolutionary and revolutionary goals, individuals tend to gravitate to one type of goal. Based on the traits of Evolutionary and Revolutionary Goal-Setters, you can discover whether you are more of an Evolutionary Goal-Setter than a Revolutionary Goal-Setter; vice versa. With such discovery, you can better set and achieve your goals.

1. Are you an Evolutionary Goal-setter or a Revolutionary Goal-setter?
By Dr. Rod King
It’s 2010, the start of a new year as well as a new decade. Many people are setting
goals. Some people are not.
Does goal-setting really matter? I think it does matter, especially in a team or group of
people involved in a project. How else would the group know where it is going? But
again, non-goal-setters may ask, “Is it necessary for a group to know where it is going?”
Again, I think it is necessary and does matter.
Anyway, in the context of goal setting, there seems to be two types of goal setters:
Evolutionary Goal-Setters (EGS) and Revolutionary Goal-Setters (RGS). Evolutionary
Goal-Setters are analytical and mainly use the left side of their brain. They formulate
goals based on historical evidence, trend analysis, and existing core competences.
Since goals are based on extrapolation of the past or present, the goals and outcomes
of Evolutionary Goal-Setters are predictable. Nevertheless, resources for achieving
evolutionary goals are mostly in place. Consequently, evolutionary goals are more likely
to be achieved. With evolutionary goal-setting, failure is usually not considered an
option. A downside of evolutionary outcomes is lack of differentiation and for
businesses, their products and services may be swimming in the ‘Red Ocean’ which is
defined by bloody competition and perennial price wars.
Revolutionary Goal-Setters formulate goals based on their intuition and vision. To
Revolutionary Goal-Setters, the present or the past does not matter. The past and the
present are simply irrelevant. Revolutionary Goal-Setters believe that they can ‘paint’
and create a radically different future and ecosystem. They pursue their vision with vigor
and passion.
Right brain thinking is the preferred cognitive style of Revolutionary Goal-Setters. RGS
favor high risk-high reward projects. They are passionate about their vision and
apparently impossible goals. In extreme cases, Revolutionary Goal-Setters may be
oblivious of reality and living in a world of their own imagination and construction. In
short, they may be day dreamers (to everyone except themselves). Revolutionary Goal-
Setters often face the problem of resource constraints; critical resources may not be
currently available so that there is serious risk of their goal not being achieved.
However, when Revolutionary Goal-Setters succeed, their results, products, and
services are memorable and often awe inspiring.

2. Revolutionary Goal-Setters in business often create ‘Blue Oceans’ that redefine market
spaces, radically differentiate themselves from the competition, and attract a larger pool
of consumers and previous non-consumers. With Revolutionary Goal-Setters, failure is
surely an option (or a learning experience).
George Bernard Shaw, a famous Irish playwright, once said, “The reasonable man
adapts himself to the world: the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to
himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.” He may well have
been talking about Evolutionary and Revolutionary Goal-Setters. And what a way to
summarize our predisposition towards the setting of goals!
So, the big question is: Are you an Evolutionary Goal-Setter or a Revolutionary Goal-
Setter? In other words, do you gravitate towards Evolutionary Goal-Setting or
Revolutionary Goal-Setting?
What are your favorite examples of evolutionary and revolutionary goal-setting?
Best,
Rod.