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- Five Crucial Leadership Metrics
Insights for Leaders and Teams
Welcome to this week’s edition of The Carter Reports.
The future belongs to those who can see the patterns before others do. Leonardo da Vinci once said, “Learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.” That mindset—curious, connected, forward-looking—is exactly what business leaders like you need.
In a world where everything is shifting—markets, customer needs, technology—clarity is your greatest asset. Each week, I’ll bring you sharp insights, practical strategies, and must-know updates designed to help you lead with purpose, move with speed, and grow with intention.
This isn’t about reacting. It’s about rising above the noise, seeing what others miss, and building a business that’s ready for what’s next. Let’s connect the dots—and shape the future together.
David Paul Carter, The Clarity Guy™
What's On Deck
Five Crucial Leadership Metrics
How do we know if we are successful as leaders?
Success in leadership is often elusive because traditional metrics—like revenue growth, profitability, or operational efficiency—only tell part of the story. While these are critical business indicators, they don't fully capture the essence of effective leadership. So often, most metrics don’t measure what really matters.
So, what leadership performance metrics can we measure to gauge or compare our success as leaders? This question has bubbled up in many of my client sessions. Verne Harnish (founder of Gazelles Inc.) published a FORTUNE article a while back on this very topic, which I think hits the nail on the head in today’s business environment. It details what he believes to be the five most crucial performance indicators for leadership success.
Five Leadership Metrics
Here are Verne’s five crucial performance indicators. Take a look at each and see if they sound relevant to you and your leadership team.
1. Your No/Yes Ratio
“… once you get clear on your strategy, you should turn down more opportunities than you embrace. Aim for a 20-to-1 ratio of noes to yeses.”
2. Number of Meals with Influencers
“Your most important job as a leader is nurturing relationships … set a weekly goal for the number of meals you’ll have with the top 250 influencers in your field.”
3. Hours in the “Flow”
“Stop letting your job get in the way of real work that will add value to your business … Spend an uninterrupted 90 minutes every day on … the biggest constraint you need to hurdle.”
4. Total Brains Applied
“The more brains you enlist inside or outside your company … the greater your odds of shaking up your industry.”
5. Time Spent Thinking
“Follow the lead of Warren Buffett and allow time for quiet reading and thinking every day.”
Can these metrics help multiply your leadership impact? Explore each further; see my editorial comments on applying them; and develop your individual metrics by reading the full article on my blog: Five Crucial Leadership Metrics.
All the Best
David
Market Pulse
What’s Shaping Small Business in 2025
1. AI Tools Are Finally in Reach — and Making a Real Difference
This year, artificial intelligence has truly landed in small business territory. Tools like Microsoft Copilot, Google’s AI features, and a wave of startup solutions are helping business owners do more with less — think automating emails, analyzing data, creating marketing content, even drafting contracts.
Why it matters: You don’t need a tech team to tap into AI anymore. Just a little curiosity and a willingness to experiment can unlock hours of time and boost your productivity.
2. Funding is Getting More Creative (and More Flexible)
With bank lending still a bit tight, more small businesses are turning to alternative funding options — like revenue-based financing, crowdfunding, or fintech platforms that let you raise money without giving up equity. Tools like Pipe, Capchase, and Clearco are growing fast because they meet businesses where they are.
Why it matters: If you’re planning to grow this year, it’s worth exploring some of these new routes. The money’s out there — and it might come with fewer strings attached.
3. The Local + Online Combo is Winning
Customers want the heart and soul of local businesses — and the speed and ease of online shopping. The small businesses gaining momentum in 2025 are nailing both: building strong local connections and offering seamless digital experiences. Shopify, Square, and others are making it easier than ever to do just that.
Why it matters: You don’t have to choose between being personal and being tech-savvy. The sweet spot is right in the middle — and that’s where growth is happening.
Exclusive offers
Free Rockefeller Habits Checklist – This Checklist provides the ten most important functions of everyday business that should be on automatic pilot in order for your business to run predictably and consistently. Download Your Checklist
Recommended Resources
Book: "Scaling Up" – In Scaling Up, Verne Harnish and his contributors share practical tools and techniques for scaling an industry dominating business while enjoying the journey.
Podcast: “The Tim Ferris Show.” - The author of The 4-Hour Workweek interviews top performers from various fields, including business, sports, and the arts. It's a staple for those seeking productivity hacks and personal development insights.
Tool: Online Resources. - I only recommend online platforms that I use to manage and grow my own business. Here are the critical few I believe in so much that we use them ourselves.
Closing Thought
Here’s something to carry with you this week: “Everything connects to everything else.”
In business—and in life—the dots are always there. Sometimes we just need to slow down, zoom out, and really see how things fit together. A tough conversation, a missed opportunity, a sudden win—it’s all part of the bigger picture.
Keep your eyes open. Stay curious. And trust that small shifts can lead to big breakthrough
Don’t just look at your business—learn to see it.
That’s where growth begins.
Until next time—keep learning, keep leading.
David Paul Carter
The CARTER REPORTS
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