How Do You Measure Success in Your Role?
In the fast-paced executive world, measuring success can be as varied as the roles themselves. We've gathered insights from CEOs and COOs, who share their personal yardsticks for achievement. From balancing results with enjoyment to fostering team career growth, explore the diverse perspectives of nine V-level executives on defining and achieving success.
- Results and Enjoyment Define Success
- Success Through Empowerment and Listening
- Balance Metrics with Strategic Counter-Metrics
- Implementing EOS for Goal Achievement
- Fostering Team Career Growth as Success
- Empowerment and Joy in Team Leadership
- Assessing Success Beyond Financials
- Building High-Performing Sales Teams
- Innovating in the Tiny Home Industry
Results and Enjoyment Define Success
I measure success in two ways. First, I look at tangible results that ladder toward the achievement of goals. Next, I measure how much enjoyment I or the team is getting from the work. Results plus enjoyment equals amazing things!
I am most proud of publishing my memoir, “A Candid Conversation: Lessons in Life, Love & Leadership,” in October 2023. I had to become extremely disciplined so that my writing results accomplished the goal of finishing and launching the book into the world. Enjoyment was dicey at times on such a massive project!
Success Through Empowerment and Listening
For me, it's a successful day when I reflect back and I can confidently say I did my best to listen to, encourage, inspire, and support my team and clients. As leaders, we've experienced a lot; it's easy to give advice. I've learned that in most instances, advice isn't what people need; it's to be listened to. They also need space to share what they're struggling with or what they're proud of. When this happens, their dreams, goals, and plans are rooted in what's best for them, not what's best for me. Success is giving the people I'm connected to the space to trust themselves and their values.
Balance Metrics with Strategic Counter-Metrics
We all know that in the pursuit of excellence, companies count heavily on performance metrics to quantify success and failure within their operations. However, I believe the journey toward success demands more than just this one-way approach of measuring progress, and that's why I always suggest a parallel evaluation of counter-metrics since they serve as vital checkpoints to align with the overall overarching objectives. Look at the symbiotic relationship between a success metric, such as achieving a specific sales target, and its corresponding counter-metric.
For example: Hitting a particular sales goal (success metric) while working no more than 40 hours a week (counter-metric), which is an active strategic KPI we currently measure to keep our sales team's morale and motivation up while staying healthy QoQ. I usually craft this strategic framework for the personal and professional advancement of everyone involved in our organization; it is important to consider and integrate both metrics and their counterparts to navigate the path toward sustained achievements.
Implementing EOS for Goal Achievement
I love the EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) process of identifying 'rocks' for the year. I then break them down into quarters, and then I determine the weekly and monthly tasks I have to accomplish to meet those rocks (goals). I implemented this system for my team, and it was genuinely fun to meet quarterly and go over our progress. Without doing this, we are all 'working' every day, but how do we know if we're truly moving the needle? This is also a great way to see who is not on board on your team so you can start coaching up or out.
Fostering Team Career Growth as Success
As a leader, I place great importance on the success of my colleagues, considering it a key part of my achievements. I take responsibility for fostering the growth and development of my team's careers very seriously. In my view, leadership involves ensuring that team members can build rewarding careers, which are crucial components of their lives. For example, one of our former employees, who began as a content and product manager, is now the head of product development at a growing fintech firm in Manila. Despite her departure from our company, we continue to stay in touch, and I provide ongoing coaching and mentoring.
Empowerment and Joy in Team Leadership
As the CEO of SportsEdTV, I measure success on several levels. One key metric is achieving the objectives we've set for the company while fostering an environment where our team is motivated to pursue these goals with passion and enjoyment. Success also involves empowering athletes, parents, and coaches to excel at what they do.
Effective leadership involves setting clear goals, creating a supportive culture, and inspiring team members to align with the organization's mission. I take pride in creating a culture that balances strategic focus with genuine joy, enabling our team to deliver high-quality resources that positively impact the sports community. By empowering our audience through educational content and coaching resources, we are helping athletes and coaches worldwide refine their skills and deepen their understanding of the game.
Assessing Success Beyond Financials
Key performance indicators (KPIs), such as revenue growth, profitability, market share, and cost efficiency, are classic metrics. Beyond financial figures, success is also assessed through the achievement of strategic goals like market expansion, product launches, or digital transformations. Additionally, the health of internal processes, employee satisfaction, and customer loyalty often weigh heavily in their evaluations, reflecting a holistic approach to leadership effectiveness.
One specific achievement I might be proud of is leading a successful company turnaround. For example, a CEO might have steered the company through a critical financial restructuring that involved renegotiating debts, optimizing operational costs, and pivoting to more profitable product lines. This turnaround saved the company from potential bankruptcy and positioned it for future growth, significantly boosting shareholder value and employee morale. Such an accomplishment demonstrates crisis management skills, strategic foresight, and the ability to execute complex plans effectively.
Building High-Performing Sales Teams
Success for me as Director of Sales at PanTerra Networks is multifaceted. Certainly, financial performance is a key metric. Surpassing sales targets and driving revenue growth are essential for the company's continued success. But it goes beyond just the numbers. I measure success by building a high-performing and motivated sales team. This involves fostering a culture of continuous learning, effective coaching, and celebrating wins together. When our team thrives, it translates to exceeding goals and building long-term customer relationships.
One achievement I'm particularly proud of is our recent expansion into the Southeast market. We identified a significant opportunity there, but the region was unfamiliar territory for PanTerra. By carefully recruiting top talent with deep regional knowledge and implementing a strategic sales plan, we exceeded our first-year sales target for the Southeast by 25%. This success not only boosted our national presence but also showcased the effectiveness of our strategic planning and team development initiatives.
Innovating in the Tiny Home Industry
In my role as a leader at Anchored Tiny Homes, success is multifaceted, primarily measured by our ability to innovate and adapt in the rapidly evolving tiny home industry. A specific achievement that stands out is the development and municipal approval of universal models designed to streamline the construction and placement of accessory dwelling units. This initiative not only significantly reduced project timelines but also increased the accessibility and affordability of sustainable living solutions.