I was struck by a short article in the Toronto Globe and Mail (www.theglobeandmail.com) that makes reference to leadership guru Peter Drucker's aphorism, "If you can't measure it, you can't manage it". There it was noted that management consultant, Kevin Eikenberry, suggests eight unusual things leaders should measure.
The first five of these one should seek more of and these include:
(1) Giving positive feedback – more often and with sincerity
(2) Hear about mistakes – listen for them; proactively seek this information so corrective action can be taken...and not to punish the messenger!
(3) Measure healthy resistance – engagement surveys and other methods can be used to determine this
(4) Listen for laughter – noting that laughter is a powerful social lubricant
(5) Celebrate milestones – either planned or spontaneous; there’s nothing quite like being part of a winning side!
The last three should of course occur less frequently:
(6) Watch for cynicism – this saps energy, creativity & fun!
(7) Cut the roots of gossip – when people know what’s happening, there’s no reason to gossip; so keep communication channels ‘well-oiled’, managing this in a prioritized and conscious way.
(8) Beware unhealthy surprises – most surprises aren’t healthy, but rather a sign of faulty communications or low trust.
Eight simple measurements which when implemented can create profoundly positive outcomes. How well are you measuring these in your organization?
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