When Performance is Measured, Performance Improves

When performance is measured, performance improves. When performance is measured and reported back, the rate of improvement accelerates. T. S. Monson

Measuring performance is always a difference maker for individuals or organizations. Often, however, failure comes because the measuring isn’t connected to a one-on-one reporting back of the performance. This leads to meetings where everyone’s eyes gaze at the floor, shoulders shrug and heads shake back and forth – all dismayed that the goal wasn’t met, but no one taking personal ownership or committing to personal improvement.

There is something powerful about individualized reporting back on performance. Olympic athletes and concert musicians understand what happens in the dynamics of a “coaching” relationship. This doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot of money to hire a coach. (There are huge benefits in coaching – the key is to get a coach and path that is right for you.)

Almost anyone can serve as your accountability or report back person. Most people will be thrilled you thought of them enough to ask. And that is all it takes. Simply share with them a particular goal or area of performance, give them the time frame and ask if they would mind if you called them back (or if they would call you) for a simple accounting or reporting back.

Also be certain when you are working with employees or with members of your organization that you also create opportunities for specific reporting back on performance. Without it employees flounder and groups or teams get lost in activities instead being focused on improvement and results.

With simple reporting and accountability the difference in performance can be profound. If you truly want to accelerate the rate of your improvement in any area of life or business - measure and report your performance.