Results versus Body of Work

Results are crucial, we all know that. Just as bad as being oblivious to results is being blinded by results.

Here's what I mean. If you have a goal, a deadline, or a milestone and you achieve it by smartly utilizing resources, engaging your team and thoroughly pleasing your client, then Bravo!

But if you ultimately achieved that goal, yet there are disconnects on your team, resources were grossly wasted and the client was reluctantly satisfied; then that's nothing to brag about. Yet, we do usually brag about it, because, hey, we made the goal.

We have to look at the "Body of Work" when determining whether we succeed or not. The "Body of Work" means what exactly happened, was it positive, did we achieve the goals and did we do it in a healthy, appropriate manner? If we had to push, prod, twist, and slide into home plate at the last second to meet the deadline, then we have to judge that performance on the whole picture--the "Body of Work," which means that we did not truly succeed.

Results, when achieved poorly, are ultimately detrimental. Results achieved in a healthy, engaging way are the recipe for long-term success.

Barry LaBov
LaBov & Beyond
www.labov.com