6. Measure

“How do I know what is working?” said the Stag.

“Don’t think about it. Just keep going,” said the Rat.

“What needs measuring?” said the Wren.

“Everything. Results. Growth. Performance.”

“And what are those telling you?” said the Wren.

“That we’re on track.”

“Then what’s wrong?” said the Wren.

“Something doesn’t feel right.”

“Ignore it,” said the Rat. “The numbers are good.”

“What doesn’t feel right?” said the Wren.

“The pace. The pressure. The way people look when they leave the room.”

“Are you measuring that?” said the Wren.

“You can’t measure that.”

“Then how will you know?” said the Wren.

“I won’t. Until someone leaves. Or breaks.”

“That’s the cost of doing big things,” said the Rat. “Not everyone can handle it.”

“Someone leaving or breaking is a measure of success?” said the Wren.

“No,” said the Stag. “I think I’ve been measuring what’s easy to count.”

“What’s hard to count?” said the Wren.

“Whether any of this is sustainable.”

“And is it?” said the Wren.

“Not at this pace. Not for them. Not for me either.”

“So what needs to change?” said the Wren.

“Not the targets. The way I’m measuring success.”

Silence.

“The numbers were never the whole picture,” said the Stag.

The River kept its measure.

If you recognised something in this dialogue, you're not alone.

For leaders Some men travel to Prague to walk by the Vltava River for a day. No agenda. No framework. Just space to hear which voice is speaking. [Walk With Me →]

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