No matter how many good people you gather, most workplace teams settle into the same old rut. Once the initial enthusiasm dissipates, they become little more than order takers or paper pushers, satisfied with so-so results. A Team of Leaders offers a completely new way to approach the team experience and an empowering formula for measuring company performance. At the core of the team dilemma is a little-known truth: It’s not the people who need to change but the design and measurements applied to the team that needs an overhaul.
According to Paul Gustavson and Stewart Liff authors of A Team of Leaders: Empowering Every Member to Take Ownership, Demonstrate Initiative and Deliver Results there are five categories of potential outcomes a business can measure, along with possible indicators helping an organization track their progress.
1.Customer Indicators
- Customer satisfaction relative to your competitors
- Repeat buyer rate
- Customer referral rate
- Market share
2. Stakeholder Indicators
- Profit and loss
- Earnings growth and revenue
- Return on investment and equity
- Community Indicators
- Sustainability practices
3. Community perception survey scores
- Compliance ratings
- Public service awards
4. Operational Excellence Indicators
- Cycle times
- Quality results and ratings
- Quantity of units produced
- Commitments made to plan
- Plans developed and approved
5. Team “Voice of the Workforce” Indicators
- Turnover
- Safety record
- Voice of the Workforce (VOWF) team survey scores
- Individual contribution to community (e.g., school
boards, service organizations)
The actual performance indicators/metrics you choose for your team will reflect the size and focus of your team as well as its direct contribution to your desired organizational outcomes. As the old adage says, “What gets measured get’s done.” Take the time to set team goals using easily quantifiable metrics that can be quickly measured and performance modified to improve your company performance. Measuring company performance takes many forms, but it all starts with creating a vision for where you want to grow.
