Finding Your Way
How do you find your way on the track? Depending on where you hike, getting lost is impossible or could be really dangerous!
When I hike a (long-distance) trail in the Netherlands, there are often signs along the trail. Other trails in other countries are often marked with signs. These could be small stickers or paint on trees or buildings. Or, if you are lucky (or I would say unlucky), you can just follow the other hikers on the trail in front of you.
For many hikes, you can also buy books that describe the route. The books have maps and additional information about what you can see, places to eat, or where to sleep. I like the books of Cicerone Press. They are clearly written, not too big to take, and have good maps.
But nowadays, I always take a GPS device with me—in my case, a Garmin watch. In the past, I used a GPS hand device, but I prefer a watch. The watch is easy to wear. With a Garmin watch, you can also use the app Explorer to keep track of the route and see where to go. I also use the app OsmAnd as a backup. The app uses OpenStreetMap maps, which are almost always up-to-date and contain a lot of extra information. Before I leave, I make sure to download the maps and that I have all GPX tracks. Most trails have a GPX route available.
If no GPX is available or I want to create my own hike, I use the website https://gpx.studio/. This is an online app where you can very easily create your own hike trail, download the GPX, and upload the track to your device. The website is free, but if you use it, be kind and make a small donation!
Depending on the remoteness of the area where I hike, I will also take a map and compass. Putting my phone constantly on airplane mode and turning on the battery saver saves a lot of battery. Still, I don't want to rely 100% on electronics. Be sure to understand how to use a compass; it is not difficult, but you should practice it at home before you leave. Of course, the sun is also there; it rises in the East, around noon, it is in the South, and it sets in the West.
How does this relate to your role as manager and leader?
You set your goals, and there you go! How do you know you are on the right track? Do you wait for six, nine, or even more months to find out how you are doing? I hope not.
KPIs, Performance Indicators, Targets, Benchmarks, Success Measures, etc. Some of them may give you a bad taste in your mouth.
"What gets measured gets managed."
This quote is often attributed to Peter Drucker.
The idea behind the quote is that if you want to improve something, you need to be able to track your progress. By setting measurable goals and monitoring your performance, you can identify areas where you need to make changes and make more informed decisions.
Using metrics is not a bad thing. However, you can make it a bad thing. There are some guidelines you should keep in mind when using metrics.
Firstly, think about the why of the metric? Is the metric helping you to improve? If not, you should really question the value of the metric.
Secondly, don't connect rewards or any compensation to the metric. If you do, I promise you will get what you expect. However, I am unsure if what you get is what you really want.
Thirdly, make them transparent. It is bad behavior if you measure things but don't share the metrics with the involved people. Is there a reason why you can't share them? If so, what the reason could be?
Fourthly, change your metrics regularly. If you keep using the metrics for a long time, people will not read them anymore. You need to surprise people now and then with something new.
Fifthly, don't overcomplicate them. If you need to be a professor in mathematics to understand your metrics, something is wrong. You may need to be a mathematics professor to create them, but that is your choice. It should not be required by the people reading your metrics.
Lastly, automate, automate, and automate! Build a dashboard that can automatically collect data and make it visible. This will always give you an up-to-date view and make your life easier.
One extra tip: If you are part of a group, you must report regularly to stakeholders. You did a great job creating metrics, so be prepared! The person with the most easy-to-read metrics, or the most complete set of metrics, will get the most focus in the meeting. This doesn't have to be bad. Just make sure you are prepared and understand your own metrics.