A recent McKinsey article highlights the challenges of establishing measures and noticing progress in the so-called ‘soft skills’. Where capabilities such as leadership, innovation and employee motivation remain undefined and intangible, an over-reliance on easily quantified measures results. The down side of course is that people’s contributions to the long term health of the organisation tend to be significantly downplayed. That in turn comprises the the capacity of the organisation to perform well in the long term.
The article provides a simple prescription for defining, noticing and rewarding behaviours that contribute to the long term health of the organisation.
