Reasons Why Performance Shouldn’t Be Seen Only Through a Growth Lens

We like to measure performance. It helps us to see how we’re doing individually and as businesses. Of course, some things are easier to measure than others. It’s much easier to measure 2^nd quarter sales than it is to measure team unity or strength of client relationships.

That’s just one of the reasons why performance shouldn’t be seen only as a measure of growth. It’s possible to lose sight of our overall goals when we focus too strongly on growth when looking at performance.

Here are some other reasons we need to look at performance in different ways:

Motivation Can Be Overlooked

Your employees are all different in terms of motivation. Some are new and ambitious, ready to work hard and see where their careers will take them. Others are struggling to stay engaged in their jobs. Different employees may need different incentives, and a shortsighted view incorporating only their performance and its growth curve can leave out the importance of motivation.

Abilities Can Be Drowned Out by Performance

Yes, performance can be a reflection of employee’s abilities, but the abilities that are reflected in performance can be very limited in scope. For example, if you’re trying to determine an employee’s performance as a manager through a growth lens, you may miss out on the fact that this employee has abilities in other areas that have not yet had an opportunity to grow. By recognising the breadth of individuals’ abilities, you can tap into additional talent resources beyond the role you hired.

Leaders who investigate their employees’ other abilities are wise. They not only deepen the pool of talent within their organisations, but they also make it clear to their employees that they care about them as whole individuals. It shows that they’re willing to help them develop their careers and interests beyond their current job descriptions. This helps to retain employees and take advantage of cross-departmental relationships.

A Broader View

As a business leader, you know that it’s important to point your workers toward growth, but if you only have your sights set on growth, you’ll miss out on alternate abilities and a chance to improve your workers’ motivation. Keep your eyes on your goals, but look at your employees in a broader sense. See them for the complicated, multi-talented people they are. As you help them to develop their skills and reach their personal goals, you’ll see the growth they bring to your business.

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