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I can't count macros. It's not a math problem (though not my strong suit). It's my affinity for precision that obstructs me.
See, what happens is this: I commit to counting in service of enhancing my nutrition. And yet, ironically, I find myself leaning more toward packaged foods and away from whole ones because the former are easier to measure. And so in a counting season my nutrition degrades.
How bleeped up is that?
And yet this. This is the same math (but not math) problem we see in the workplace.
If you work in marketing and branding? You know that Finance LOVES your direct marketing campaigns (like packaged foods, so convenient for tracking ROI), and they kinda hate your branding campaigns (your whole food equivalent).
The latter is so much harder to measure. And yet, no less important.
Same goes for Leadership Development.
While there may exceptions (sales training, for example, may lead to direct revenue-results), on balance, the majority of high-quality leadership development just doesn't lend itself to measurement the way leaders want it to. As hungry as you may rightfully be for it.
So what do we do instead? We look for glimmers. For indicators of change, of progress, of new behaviors.
Do my programs lead to a 10% increase in Sales? Um, no. Not directly.
But they DO lead to the recognition of and solutions to obstacles that keep leaders from doing their best work.
They DO equip and empower leaders to provide greater clarity; to drive alignment across teams; to coach and develop and engage and recognize their teams.
All of which indirectly delivers results that matter.
Listen, I'm not here to convince you to buy something. I just want you to remember that whole foods are better for you than anything that comes in a package.
Measurement be damned.