How to set non-linear goals for you and your team

I still remember the day vividly. I was a young and ambitious talent in one of the world’s most renowned—yet rigid, and matrix-like—multinationals when my boss asked me to do something that left me puzzled: “Write down your vision for the year.”

At the time, I couldn’t help but think, how is that a good use of my time?

Whatever I wrote down, I knew it would become irrelevant within weeks as the reality of my work shifted.

This wasn’t just a one-time frustration; I’ve always struggled with traditional goal-setting approaches. The classic method of writing a one-year plan, setting quarterly milestones, and breaking it all down into neat weekly tasks often felt detached from the unpredictable nature of the world we live in. Sure, this approach might work in a stable, predictable environment, but in a world full of uncertainty and rapid change, it can feel futile and even counterproductive.

When you’re navigating a chaotic or complex environment (to borrow terminology from the Cynefin framework), what you need isn’t a rigid plan. You need a flexible, iterative process—one that helps you respond to constant change and move forward meaningfully. That’s where non-linear goal-setting comes in.

Here’s how to set non-linear goals for yourself or your team:

1. Start with direction setting: anchor to your Core

Instead of fixating on rigid end goals, focus on your core purpose—as a leader, a team, or an organization. What do you stand for? What are your non-negotiables?

Your direction is the “north star” that guides you, regardless of how turbulent the environment becomes. Unlike a fixed destination, it provides flexibility while ensuring you don’t stray from what matters most.

For example:

For leaders: Your core could be a commitment to empowering your team and fostering innovation.
For teams: It might be about delivering value to customers or building trust within the organization.
For organizations: It could revolve around sustainability, growth, or community impact.

By anchoring yourself in this core, you create a foundation that keeps you aligned, no matter how unpredictable the journey becomes.

2. Consider the push and pull of the context

In a complex environment, goals cannot exist in a vacuum. The world around you—your market, your team dynamics, your industry, or even global events—constantly shifts.

Ask yourself: What is the context asking of me? What is emerging as a priority?

For leaders: Maybe the team is signaling burnout, so your focus should shift toward well-being and psychological safety.
For teams: Perhaps a competitor’s new product launch is reshaping the customer’s needs.
For organizations: You might see technological advances or regulatory changes demanding agility and adaptation.

Being attuned to these signals allows you to adapt your direction to what the environment is pushing or pulling you toward, rather than rigidly sticking to a plan that no longer serves you.

3. Prototype through experiments

The beauty of non-linear goal-setting lies in its adaptability. Instead of designing a detailed roadmap for an entire year, start with small, controlled experiments.

Here’s how to do it:

a. Define the experiment

What are you testing? Pick a specific area you want to explore that aligns with your core purpose and context.
What’s the timeframe? Limit the experiment to a manageable period—weeks or months.
What’s the process? Plan how often you’ll meet to evaluate progress and adjust.

b. Use feedback loops

Establish clear signals to determine whether the experiment is working. These could include:

Customer feedback.
Team morale and engagement.
Quantitative metrics (e.g., revenue, speed, or quality).

c. Iterate

Based on what the feedback tells you, refine the experiment, pivot, or scale it. Each experiment becomes a step toward deeper insights and better outcomes.

Example:

Instead of planning a year-long team collaboration initiative, start with a two-month experiment on cross-functional projects. Track how well team members communicate and collaborate, gather insights, and adjust your approach before scaling the initiative.

Why non-linear goals work

Non-linear goals help you:

Stay agile: You respond to change rather than resist it.
Foster creativity: Small experiments encourage innovation without overwhelming risk.
Avoid burnout: Teams aren’t locked into rigid plans that feel disconnected from reality. By starting from your core, you stay grounded in your purpose.

By focusing on direction, context, and experimentation, you empower your team to thrive in complexity, adapt to shifting conditions, and move forward in meaningful ways.

Final thought

The world is unpredictable, and that’s not changing anytime soon. Traditional goal-setting methods—linear, detailed, and rigid—don’t equip us for this kind of uncertainty. But by anchoring in your core, listening to the environment, and taking small, iterative steps, you can navigate complexity with confidence and clarity.

It’s time to rethink how we set goals. Are you ready to try something new? If it all feels a bit overwhelming, don’t hesitate to reach out—I’d be happy to help you get started: coaching@debbiebaute.com

Photo by NIKHIL on Unsplash