The Scorecard
Whether it is the leaderboard on Sunday or a scorecard at the club on Thursday, the scorecard drives behaviors and decisions on the course. Some pros say that they don’t watch the leaderboard and just play their own game. While this may be true (we don’t believe it), Stick and Hack members know that keeping score tells us whether we are winning and, more importantly, if we are improving. Without a scorecard in golf, there are no winners, or losers, and no way of knowing whether your game is evolving. What fun would that be? Zero. That’s why we keep score.
In his book, Traction, Gino Wickman states, “According to an old business maxim, anything that is measured and watched is improved.” What are you measuring in your business, and how are you doing?
The reality is that most businesses don’t have a scorecard. You may have a profitable business without one, but are you reaching your full potential? Wickman also writes, “What gets measured gets done.” Here are some ways you can incorporate scorecards in your work to improve results:
What’s Your Number?
We’ve seen this phrase on commercials and we’ve been asked, “What’s your handicap?” Knowing your number is as important as showing up to work on time. Whether you’re in the corner office or on the frontlines, you need to know your number. If you don’t have a number, find one that is directly tied to performance and/or specific goals.
Knowing your number provides focus and clarity around what you need to do and where you are going. Wickman suggests that “There are eight distinct advantages to everyone having a number.” They are:
- Numbers cut through subjective communication between manager and direct report
- Numbers create accountability
- Accountable people appreciate numbers
- Numbers create clarity and commitment
- Numbers create competition
- Numbers produce results
- Numbers create teamwork
- You will solve problems faster
Are We Winning?
In golf, winners usually buy a round after the round to celebrate their win. Keeping score, without celebrating the wins, defeats the purpose of keeping score in the first place. As we’ve stated before, pause and take a moment to tally the numbers and celebrate the wins.
Are We Improving?
Golfers (not sandbaggers) continuously try to improve their handicap. You should do the same in your work. Set some goals. If there are metrics in your business that you want to improve, establish clear goals and numbers you want to achieve by a certain date. Everyone can develop strategies and behaviors to work towards achieving those goals. Once you achieve the goals, celebrate.
Remember, everyone wants to win. We want to win as spouses, parents, golfers – and we want to win in our work. Without a scorecard to measure our performance, we are just going through the motions. Work on developing scorecards outside of golf. These numbers will hold you accountable, and you’ll improve as a human.
For more ideas on how to create your scorecards, reach out to us at thecorneroffice@stickandhack.com.