This week, I saw on Instagram some pretty long queues for buses because the train drivers in New South Wales are on strike.

It’s been playing havoc with commuters getting to work and my son getting to school!

When I saw images on the news the other night of delayed trains arriving at Sydney’s Central Station

It reminded me of the story I shared last week about the senior leader tracking 43 (Key Performance Indicators) KPIs.

If you’re trying to get to North Sydney, knowing the T3 to Liverpool is running 15 minutes late is completely useless.

Here’s the thing about KPIs – most aren’t actually “key” at all.

A real KPI drives action.

If it changes, you do something different. If you don’t, it’s just information cluttering your screen.

Like knowing the T3 is delayed when you’re waiting for the T1.

Your Challenge This Week:

Pick your top three KPIs and ask: “If this number changed right now, what exactly would I do differently?”

If you wouldn’t do anything,

It’s not a KPI.

It’s just noise on your dashboard.

Matthew Needham is an accountant and former CFO who consults and speaks on improving organisational performance. He helps leaders without a finance background confidently engage in financial discussions, enabling better decisions that drive improved performance. For more information, visit matthewneedham.co.