Competitive Measurement, Does It Motivate?
Metrics and measurements may be your key for monitoring performance. Does competitive measurement provide motivation?
Brutal truth, some people like to compete.
There is often some concern about competing within the same organization. Competing for sales numbers, efficiencies, and even for promotions.
It’s true, it can be a delicate balance. Internal fighting is not good and the competitive spirit pushed too far can cause trouble spots for ethics.
What do you think, is competitive measurement healthy for the organization?
I believe it can be as long as it is properly managed.
Competitive Measurement
When we set metrics and we start to measure we are typically pushing to new levels. Whether it is in sales, quantity, or quality. It could also be in customer count, customer satisfaction, or lifetime value.
On the other hand, when we measure nothing, how do we know for sure that there is improvement? If there is no metric, the status quo seems like a probable path.
If you are using metrics and measurement to guide performance have you considered other aspects connected with performance?
What about things like worker engagement, stress, or employee turnover?
Certainly, those are metrics. You could even go a little further, with things like resiliency or happiness.
The Human Experience
The point is really this. When you invoke that competitive spirit and bring out the motivation and drive to stretch, reach, and conquer goals, don’t forget about the human side of those measurements.
When management squeezes out the human side with numbers things seem to work for a while. Yet, after a while some humans will lose connection with the purpose.
If the purpose is only to hit the number, then no one really cares about the person.
A scary place to be.
-DEG
Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSPTM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.
