There’s a deceptively simple idea that every leader, coach, and high performer should sit with for a moment. Originally rooted in Goodhart’s Law think about this:
“When a measure becomes an outcome, it ceases to be a good measure.”
Why?
Because the moment we start chasing the number instead of what the number represents, we distort our behaviour.
If a team is judged on ticket closures, they’ll close tickets … fast and in huge quantities … but maybe not to an acceptable level of quality.
If you measure success by the number of hours worked, people will work long hours but not necessarily productively, nor on the right things.
If you obsess over engagement scores, you may end up gaming survey responses rather than improving culture.
Metrics matter. Of course they do. But only as measures, not objectives.
Here’s the shift I’d like you to try:
Ask: “What is this measure really showing me?”
Look beyond the number to the behaviour, system, or value it reflects.
Guard against the metric becoming the mission.
Great leadership often requires us to keep our eyes on meaning, not just measurement.
Once the measure becomes the goal, you start winning the wrong game.
My advice for you today in this Coaching Corner is this …
Be true to your principles and let the measure reflect your impact, and not define your worth.
Remember, the path to extraordinary is walked with a thousand small steps, you’re doing great!
Barry Marshall-Graham
Executive coach and leadership advisor
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