Install a Weekly Scorecard to Run on Objective Data Instead of Gut Feelings

Consider how most leaders say they have a pulse on their business—but, in reality, they’re mostly following hunches. Like a pilot with broken gauges who announces the plane is making ‘great time’ but actually doesn’t know the fuel level, organizations without clear numbers often move confidently in the dark. Real control and predictability come from tracking a handful of objective, activity-based numbers every week, not just waiting for sales reports or profit sheets at the end of the month when it’s too late.

A powerful tool for this is the weekly scorecard: a one-page document with 5 to 15 key numbers that predict success or failure. No more ambiguous, “Things are picking up!” Now, sales means the specific number of outreach calls or closed deals; operations become the precise number of customer deliveries met; customer service is the average rating from post-visit surveys. Each number is owned by one person, who reports progress every week.

When numbers consistently fall below the weekly goal, everyone can see and discuss the shortfall immediately—not after a quarter has passed. Red flags become obvious, and responses become proactive. Real teams treat these numbers seriously and feel a healthy sense of responsibility. Achievement and gaps become transparent, creating a culture of objectivity and shared progress—no more hiding under generalities or politicking around performance.

Behavioral economics highlights how regular, visible measurement impacts both motivation and adaptation. It harnesses the commitment and consistency principle: what gets measured and shared gets managed and improved.

Imagine finally quitting the guessing game at your weekly meetings. Choose a short list of the most critical numbers that reflect your day-to-day progress, assign each metric to someone who can truly own it, and agree on what you expect to achieve every week. When you meet, use your scorecard as your dashboard—spend just a few focused minutes scanning for anything off track, and jump on any issue before it becomes a problem. It’s a simple shift but undeniably powerful; make it a priority to build your first scorecard this week.