Leadership Success: The 5 Golden Rules of Measuring Performance
Measuring may not be the thing that really excites you as a leader. At the same time you probably have heard people say over and over again that what gets measured get’s done. Any business that is serious about achieving results needs to measure performance. So what are the 5 golden rules of measuring performance?
Rule 1: Be clear on what you want to achieve
If you don’t know what the end destination is just about any direction will be fine. Yet the reality is that the clearer you can be about what you want to achieve from your business, the much easier it will be to develop and implement measures. Taking the time to define in clear and straightforward what you want to achieve is similar to laying foundations for a house.
Rule 2: Separate the things to do from the things that are critical
Filling up your schedule with things to do is not difficult. It is pretty easy to think that it is volume that matters. As a leader, you know that what’s important is to be clear on the things that drive results rather than the things that fill up your schedule. Do you know what those 5 critical things are in your organisation?
Rule 3: Watch out for those who focus on the data
Information is rarely 100% complete and accurate. As a result people sometimes focus their time and effort in picking holes in the reports rather than the underlying messages. Aim to keep people focussed on the big picture and key messages rather than the petty bits of detail.
Rule 4: Eliminate the “I thought” discussions
What do I mean by the “I thought discussion”? Basically it’s when 6 people have 4 different views on what a particular measure is telling them or how it is calculated. To overcome this, make the basis of calculation and scope of any measurement crystal clear.
Rule 5: Focus on action
Measurement is only worthwhile if it results in choice and action. Keep the focus on what the organisation is going to do as a result the information being identified from the performance measurement.
Bottom Line – Performance measurement can be a huge asset in achieving success as a leader. The question is are you ready to leverage those benefits?
About the Author Duncan Brodie
Since 2006 I’ve worked with in excess of 8,000 accountants and professionals in workshops, seminars and one to one helping them land their next jobs and become better leaders, presenters and business partners. Before that I spent 25 years in accountancy climbing the career ladder from Payments Clerk to FD. I’m a CIMA Fellow, Certified Professional Coach and Team Coach Facilitator.