Achieving the full vision of the enterprise performance management framework involves more than selecting one of its many methodologies and then purchasing software to install and implement the solution. It requires individuals with talent and skills. Here is a list of famous people who have inspired me and exemplify the traits valuable in achieving that full vision:

• Socrates: An effective way to help people learn is by asking them questions that lead to meaning. Socrates taught Plato and other Greek philosophers by making them think about answers to his questions rather than just lecturing. For example, asking “Does our organization measure the correct performance indicators that reveal progress toward achieving our strategic objectives?” is more stimulating than simply providing a list of commonly accepted industry metrics.

• Thomas Jefferson: Americans typically have a favorite “founding father” of their nation. Mine is Jefferson because he believed in a fair society. Performance management involves equitable treatment of allocating resources to align with the organization’s strategy to optimize results. For example, activity-based costing traces costs accurately, compared to traditional broadly averaged cost allocations that give false impressions because some product’s costs subsidize others.

• Orson Welles: Welles wrote, directed, and starred in the lead role of Citizen Kane, a movie often cited by critics as one of the greatest cinema works ever. Welles always challenged the status quo with constructive dissent, and he discovered and grew exceptional talent. Dissent and talent growth both contribute to improving organizational performance.

• Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson, Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer, and Jack Nicklaus: These golfers demonstrated how focus and concentration in golf yield results. Performance management involves focusing and prioritizing on where to make improvements rather trying to be effective everywhere, which can distract resources from efforts where they can have higher-yield impacts.

• Aaron Copland, George Gershwin, Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, and Benny Goodman: It is a rare gift to pen onto a blank music sheet from one’s brain combinations of notes that so many of us cherish as music. These five composers introduced innovation (and coincidentally, an identifiable American sound). Innovation is an entry ticket to improve performance. The realization of performance improvement with good, innovative strategy formulation means that its execution and process excellence must then follow.

• Billy Wilder and Alfred Hitchcock: These two renowned movie directors – both emigrants to the United States – navigated their careers to be at the top of their field. Leadership, like movie directing, sets the course and destination for where an organization should go and then looks to integrated performance management methodologies to get it there.

• Thomas Edison: Edison epitomizes invention, design, and innovation. His “ideas” factory is legendary. Performance improvement accelerates with creativity and discovery.

• Richard Feynman: Although Feynman was a Nobel Prize-winner in physics for his research in quantum electrodynamics, he is not a household name. Some will recall his role in the investigation of the tragic Challenger space shuttle explosion. In testimony before the U.S. Congress, he dropped “o-rings” into a cold glass of water to demonstrate their inelasticity that proved fatal to the craft. Feynman was extraordinarily smart. Brilliance is not essential for success with performance management, but the quest for discovery and continuous learning is essential. Applying business analytics for postulating theories, testing them, and acting on insights are crucial for success.

• Gene Kelly: I debated adding Fred Astaire’s name here, but I will stay with only Kelly to highlight his unique traits: strength and discipline, with grace. Kelly was noted for endless rehearsals of a dance routine until its execution was flawless. Quality matters with performance management.

• Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, and Audrey Hepburn: Whether it was in comedy or drama, these three charismatic cinema stars were exceptionally versatile. Agility to quickly adjust and react is critical for performance management. Very little is stable today, with external factors causing rapid changes.

• Edward R. Murrow: This articulate journalist and radio and television broadcaster set the high mark in revealing false beliefs with his public grilling of U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy for accusing and harassing innocent people as alleged Communist Party members. Challenging accepted beliefs is vital to improve organizational performance.

• “Carnac the Magnificent” (Johnny Carson): One of the funniest character skits of this late-night television host and comedian was his elaborately costumed psychic. Predictive analytics is arguably the most distinctive aspect of performance management. It shifts management from being reactive to proactive – adjusting for changes in anticipation of when changes are needed and solving small problems before they become large ones. The result is less uncertainty and fewer surprises.

• Red Grange, Gale Sayers, and Walter Payton: I grew up in Chicago, where these three remarkable athletes played running back for the NFL’s Chicago Bears. These Hall of Famers could execute – touchdown! Performance management requires artful execution of strategy and core processes in addition to planning and risk management.

There are dozens of others whom I could have cited, but an exhaustive list is not the point. My intent is to demonstrate through examples that strong character traits in performance management advocates are central to advancing the adoption and integration of performance management’s portfolio of methodologies. Using the skills of talented and motivated staff, management in many organizations will realize the full vision of enterprise performance management and propel their organizations to new levels of effectiveness. ###