The hidden beliefs that hold back team performance

As a finance professional using numbers to influence action, or a manager looking to understand their numbers, there is a human side to this work that is important to acknowledge.

It requires an awareness that there is a “second dataset” that sits behind the spreadsheets and dashboards you are using to measure and drive performance. A set of beliefs that is felt by the individual. And rarely shared with others.

By keeping these beliefs to ourselves, they may be holding us back.

Here are three examples, including a question to ask that will help you (and your teams) acknowledge them and take action.

Limiting Belief #1: "I'm just not a numbers person"

This is the most common objection I hear when it comes to measuring performance.

Not because numbers are hard. But because we've convinced ourselves they need to be.

You don't need advanced maths to motivate a team with data. You need to track the right things and show people what they've achieved.

• A warehouse tracking "orders picked today"

• A sales team watching "conversations held this week"

• A finance team seeing "queries resolved within 24 hours"

None of the above require complex calculations. They just need visibility. They need to be easily seen and understood.

Question: What would happen if you went from complex calculations to tracking one thing your team cares about?

Limiting Belief #2: “The numbers will confirm my team are failing”

This belief keeps more leaders stuck than any lack of technical skill.

Because we've all been taught: numbers show outcomes. Winners and losers. Success and failure.

But that's scoreboard thinking. And scoreboard thinking (on its own) does not drive motivation.

Your past performance doesn't predict your future success. Your current trajectory does. 

Question: What would you track if you measured progress instead of outcomes?

Limiting Belief #3: "I need to feel motivated first, then I'll start tracking performance"

Waiting to feel motivated before you track your progress is like waiting to feel fit before you go to the gym.

Motivation doesn't spark action. Action sparks motivation.

When you can see you're making progress - even tiny progress - your brain starts believing change is possible. That belief creates energy. That energy creates momentum.

Question: What number could you start tracking today that would show you're moving forward tomorrow?

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I'd love to hear from you:

Which one of the “hidden beliefs” above resonated with you the most? Hit reply and let me know - I read every response.

Let’s work together to make sure your numbers do more than measure. They motivate and accelerate performance.