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Antipattern #5 · clarity · p. 45
Misusing Metrics
Measures connected to value and purpose supercharge learning.
The Tin Man Behavior
Becoming disproportionately obsessed with quantification as a solution in itself that dictates strategy and decision-making.
The Results
- ·Focus shifts from creating value to hitting numbers.
- ·Proliferation of vanity metrics and gaming the system
- ·Valuable innovation that resists metrics is ignored.
How Octopus Organizations Behave Instead
- ↳They use metrics for learning and driving positive change, focusing on intent over hitting absolute targets.
- ↳They prioritize outcome-focused metrics linked to purpose and cross-organizational impact, and avoid misleading proxies.
- ↳They foster a culture where metrics are used for diagnosis and improvement, not blame.