ECMLG'15: Human-oriented performance management

The translation of strategy and goals into actionable targets and outcomes is a challenge for many organisations. Rob ter Hedde and Benny de Wall (Utrecht, Netherlands) have been investigating this challenge. While many think in terms of 'hard priorities' of operational efficiency and organisational design, ter Hedde and de Waal focused on human factors. They presented a model consisting of four dimensions—strategy translation; dialogue and action orientation; continuous improvement and organisational learning; and, information and visualisation—and suggested that the link between strategy and effective implementation was contingent on this four dimensional model being set in motion.

Their results showed that anchoring the organisation's objectives and strategy in the minds, hearts and hands of the people (staff and other stakeholders) is crucial for performance improvements. While not explicitly stated, this research reinforces the importance of clearly annunciating core purpose—the 'why'. People are more likely to get behind causes that things. The civil rights leader, Martin Luther King, provided a very famous demonstration of this with his Dream speech. Just imagine the [non]impact if MLK had uttered "I have a plan...".