Behavior Quote by Daniel H. Pink
“Goals may cause systematic problems for organizations due to narrowed focus, unethical behavior, increased risk taking, decreased cooperation, and decreased intrinsic motivation. Use care when applying goals in your organization.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, 2009
Goals can narrow focus, prompting unethical actions, risk‑taking, reduced cooperation, and lower intrinsic motivation if misapplied.
In simple terms: Misused goals can harm organizations.
Key Takeaway
Set balanced goals that encourage collaboration and ethics.
Themes
motivation
goal setting
ethics
organization behavior
Mood
analytical
pragmatic
instructive
Type
nonfiction
business
psychology
When to use this quote
- team projects
- sales targets
- product development
- risk management
Key Concepts
behavioral economics
leadership
performance management
Questions to Reflect On
- How can goals be designed to foster teamwork?
- What safeguards prevent goal‑driven misconduct?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on metrics can stifle creativity.
