Traditional goal-setting advice is built around achievement, optimisation, and constant striving. But what if that model is part of the problem, especially for women navigating complex systems that were not designed with them in mind?
In this episode of Lead to Soar, Mel Butcher and Michelle Redfern are joined by Tara McMullin, author of What Works, to discuss a fundamentally different approach to goals, progress, and success.
Tara’s work challenges the idea that more ambition, clearer targets, or better discipline will automatically lead to better outcomes. Instead, she examines how social and economic systems shape what we pursue, why many goals quietly fail, and how a practice-oriented approach creates more sustainable momentum over time.
This conversation reframes goal-setting as an ongoing leadership practice rather than a performance contest, offering a more realistic and grounded way to think about growth, work, and contribution.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
Why achievement-based goal setting often backfires
How social and economic systems influence what we think we “should” want
The difference between outcome obsession and practice-led progress
Why consistency and reflection matter more than rigid targets
How leaders can set goals that actually support long-term impact
Links and resources:
More on Tara McMullin
What Works: A Comprehensive Framework to Change the Way We Approach Goal-Setting
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