Confessions of a Metrics Nerd (And Why You Should Be One Too)
By Amy Wartham, UNC Charlotte Director of Corporate Training and Executive Education
I love metrics. There. I said it. Metrics don’t lie. Metrics make the world go round. They’re the magical numbers that determine our success, guide our decisions, and haunt our dreams. Somewhere along the way, we decided that if you can’t measure it, it didn’t happen – which is bad news for that brilliant idea I had in the shower that never made it to a spreadsheet.
Metrics are everywhere. KPIs, OKRs, ROI, CTR… honestly, it’s like the alphabet got a corporate job. There’s a metric for everything: employee engagement, customer satisfaction, even how many people looked at your email and immediately deleted it. (Thanks for that one, open rate.)
We say we love metrics because they help us make data-driven decisions. But let’s be honest: sometimes we just want a number that makes us look good in a meeting. “Sure, sales were down, but check out this chart with trending upward vibes!” 📈
I play Queens (almost) every day on LinkedIn. (I’m currently on a 122-day streak!) I see you, Jeremiah Nelson, Ph.D. , Melissa Kraftchick, PHR and Kim Crean ! I love comparing how long it takes me to complete the puzzle versus everyone else. Metrics tell the story. I love being told that I’m smarter than the average bear!
I joke, but here’s the truth: metrics are good for us. Like vegetables, hydration, and flossing – we may grumble, but they help us grow.
🎯 Why Metrics Matter
- They keep everyone honest. Without metrics, everyone could just say, “Yeah, totally crushing it!” – and who could argue? With metrics, you have actual proof that something happened… or didn’t. It’s like a Fitbit for your team’s progress: no more pretending you walked 10,000 steps when you just walked to the fridge.
- They help you spot what’s working (and what’s not). Metrics are like the GPS of team success. Without them, you might be charging forward with enthusiasm… in entirely the wrong direction. With them, you know when it’s time to pivot – or at least stop digging the same hole.
- They reduce drama. Instead of team debates that sound like: “I feel like we’re doing better.” You can say: “Actually, the data shows our client satisfaction is up 15%.
- They give purpose to goals Saying “Let’s be more productive” is like saying “Let’s be cooler” – what does that even mean? Metrics translate fluffy goals into actionable results, like increasing the number of instructional hours delivered by 20% or improving evaluation completion rates by 15%.
- They make celebrating easier 🎉 You don’t want to throw a party because “vibes felt good this quarter.” With metrics, you can pop champagne (or LaCroix) when you actually hit a milestone.
So yes, track the numbers. Set the goals. Color-code the dashboard. (Yes, I’m talking to you Dayle Janus.) Just don’t lose sight of the humans behind them. And maybe – just maybe – add a new KPI: “Laughs per meeting.”
Because success isn’t just about the numbers. It’s also about keeping your sanity while chasing them.
If you need some help with your metrics, shoot me an email at awartham@charlotte.edu or check out our Corporate Catalog for our list of program offerings. I’d love to discuss how our corporate training might be able to help your organization.