Those who don’t enjoy measuring results, don’t enjoy achievement.
Unmeasured results don’t matter.
Hitting baseballs reminded me that effective assessments increase enthusiasm, concentration, and satisfaction.
The visit:
Dahliah, Asher, and Abram, three of our grandkids, are spending the week with us.
Asher, our seven year old grandson, is a sports fanatic. Yesterday, while in his red Phillies baseball jersey, I spent an hour hitting baseballs to him. He’s pretty good, if I must say so. He loves diving to make spectacular catches.
Poor performance:
His throwing, on the other hand, is inconsistent. Sometimes the ball has a mind of its own. Asher didn’t like seeing Poppi chasing after his inaccurate throws so I gave him a few throwing tips. Things got better but I could tell he still wasn’t happy.
Define winning.
Measure results.
Reward achievement.
The assessment:
“Hey Ash,” I said, “If Poppi doesn’t have to move to get the ball, when you throw it back, it’s a 10. But every step I take to get the ball is a point off.” His energy and attitude immediately lifted.
I took three steps to retrieve his next throw. Before I could announce his score, he called out, “That’s a seven.”
“Not bad,” I said. He smiled. Determination to get a ten gleamed on his face.
As his throws continued, he earned a few tens and everything from zero to nine. Curiously, after a perfect throw, he called out, “Four.”
“Four?” I asked.
He said, “That’s four tens in a row.” He’d been keeping track of his achievement.
Enthusiasm requires:
- Clear pictures of winning.
- Measurable results that matter.
- Transparent, unbiased assessments.
- Immediate feedback.
- Belief that excellence is possible.
Bonus: Challenging and supportive environments.
What factors make assessments effective? Ineffective?
Hear Stephen M.R. Covey sharing his personal journey into the Speed of Trust.