Change the measure when the work changes

Purpose · Little Light original

A role evolves quietly. The person who once completed requests now prevents them, teaches others and improves the system that produced the work. Yet the old dashboard still counts tickets closed. The better they become at reducing unnecessary demand, the less productive they appear by the measure that once made sense. When the work changes, change the measure with it. Look for the value the role is now expected to create: fewer repeated problems, stronger decisions, shorter handovers or colleagues who can proceed without rescue. Keep useful numbers, but do not let yesterday’s definition punish today’s contribution. People pay attention to what the organisation counts. If the metric rewards volume after the purpose has become prevention, good judgment will always look like a shortfall. Leadership means noticing when success has outgrown its original evidence. Update the measure before asking someone to prove themselves against a job they no longer do. Their progress should be visible in the future they are helping the work become.

Little Light