Hitting the Target Isn't the Point

When Rodney Mueller joined me on Impact Moments, he shared a story from his time as an Army drill sergeant at Fort Knox.

Rodney was training 60 soldiers in marksmanship when he changed how he taught them to aim. Instead of focusing on the distant target, he taught them to focus on the front sight of their rifles. According to Rodney, 99% of that group qualified on their first attempt.

Rodney applies that lesson to business goals. Leadership teams can spend months working toward a target, hit it, and still find that the business isn't where they wanted it to be. They achieved what they set out to measure, but the goal itself didn't support what they were trying to accomplish.

As we approach annual planning season, consider what achieving your next set of goals will accomplish for your business.

When reviewing your Vision/Traction Organizer® (V/TO®), discuss whether the goals in your 1-Year Plan and Rocks support your Core Focus and 3-Year Picture. That discussion can help your team choose goals based on the business you're trying to build rather than focusing on a number alone.

Focus Points
“If I achieve that, why would it matter? What's the experience it would provide me?” — Rodney Mueller, Certified EOS Implementer®

Impact Moments

Why Your Target Should Be Blurry With Rodney Mueller

How do you know whether you're setting the right goals for your business?

On this episode of Impact Moments, Certified EOS Implementer® Rodney Mueller shares his Perfect Aim approach to goal setting and explains why reaching a target doesn't always produce the outcome you expected.

We discuss how to look beyond the numbers when setting goals, why it's important to understand what you want to accomplish, and how to use your V/TO to connect annual goals and quarterly Rocks to your company's long-term vision.

Maz Prompt of the Week

Ask: Can you tell me what my team should focus on next quarter based on our Scorecard and issues?

Inc. Named Ninety a 2026 Power Partner

Ninety was recognized on Inc.’s 2026 Power Partners list for Business Products & Services, Midsize Excellence, and SaaS Products.

I want to give a special thank-you to the customers and partners who helped make this recognition possible. We appreciate you and look forward to continuing to build better businesses together.