The way workplace performance is measured has always been a topic of contention for leaders, managers, and employees. At the end of the day, businesses need to start pushing for data-driven decisions, based on continuous feedback, instead of status quo year-end reviews, that can become too reliant on gut feeling, general observation over recent months, and peer assessments not too dissimilar to a workplace popularity contest.

The challenge leaders face in today’s workplaces is finding ways to build cultures of trust, where performance is judged according to measures that are fair, understood, and applied consistently. Whilst the creation of such company cultures doesn’t occur overnight, and having clear performance measures is only the tip of the iceberg, leaders can make a start by articulating what good performance looks like, communicating company standards, and providing individuals and teams with regular, and ongoing feedback on their performance.