The Inner Scorecard: Leading Authentically in a Results-Driven World
Why Great Leaders Measure Their Success by Personal Values, Not Public Opinion
📖 read time : 4 minutes
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times
Nearly a year had passed since we launched our new product into the healthcare market, and what a ride it had been. The initial demand was incredible—we exceeded all expectations and hit milestone after milestone. As the months went by, however, the bar kept moving up. Targets were raised and suddenly what had once been seen as exceptional performance was now considered underwhelming.
Though we were still growing at double digits, we were behind on the latest financial projections. That’s when our senior leader called us into a closed-room meeting. Without saying much, he went straight to the flip chart and began sketching out a new game plan, furiously drawing lines, outlining how we could turn things around and meet the target.
Then came the moment—Sharpie in hand, he finished his plan, dropped the marker like a mic, and said, “Just do it,” before walking out and leaving us with a page full of instructions.
There was just one problem—what he had proposed was well beyond the gray zone. In fact, in my eyes, it was offside. Would following this plan help us hit the target? Yes. But it came at a cost that felt too high.
After a few moments of stunned silence, I cleared my throat and said, “We can’t do this.” There was an audible sigh of relief around the table. It was clear that we were all thinking the same thing: this crosses the line. As a group, we walked up to the flip chart, tore down the pages, and threw them in the trash on our way out.
We missed our target that month. And the following month. But we stayed true to our values. The alternative plan we developed may have taken longer, but it brought us back on track—and more importantly, we were able to look ourselves in the mirror.
That day, I learned a lesson I’ve carried with me ever since: real leadership isn’t about hitting every goal. It’s about leading authentically by your own values, leading with integrity, no matter the pressure.
It’s about living by your own inner scorecard.
The Inner Scorecard: A Framework for Authentic Leadership
The big question about how people behave is whether they’ve got an Inner Scorecard or an Outer Scorecard. It helps if you can be satisfied with an Inner Scorecard.
— Warren Buffett
Warren Buffett attributes much of his success and happiness to this principle. It’s about measuring your success by your own standards, not by how others perceive you—what he calls living by your "inner scorecard."
In contrast, many people live by an outer scorecard, constantly seeking validation from external sources. Whether it's wealth, social status, or public approval, their happiness and self-worth are tied to what others think. The outer scorecard might push you to chase impressive milestones, but it often leaves you feeling hollow, never satisfied.
An inner scorecard flips that.
It’s about aligning your actions with your own values. Instead of bending to external pressure, you act according to what you believe in—what resonates with your true self. And for leaders, this mindset can be transformative. Living by an inner scorecard brings:
Authenticity and Freedom: You’re free to make decisions that reflect your values, rather than being swayed by outside pressures.
Resilience: Setbacks or criticism lose their sting when your self-worth isn’t tied to external validation.
Fulfillment: Your sense of achievement comes from living in alignment with your values, creating deeper, lasting satisfaction.
In leadership, the inner scorecard is crucial.
It helps you maintain integrity, build trust, and lead from a place of authenticity. This mindset doesn’t just affect how you lead—it affects how your team views you and how they approach their own work.
How to Apply the Inner Scorecard to Leadership: Practical Steps
Here are five practical ways to cultivate an inner scorecard in your leadership:
🔘 Define Your Core Values
Reflect on what truly matters to you—integrity, innovation, collaboration. These values will guide your decisions and actions, serving as your North Star.
🔘 Set Personal Standards
Determine how you want to show up as a leader. What behaviors are non-negotiable for you? Clearly defining these standards ensures alignment with your values.
🔘 Establish Meaningful Metrics
Go beyond traditional metrics like revenue. Consider how you will measure yourself. Setting these internal metrics helps you keep track of your progress, not just towards company goals, but towards becoming the leader you aspire to be.
🔘 Regularly Reflect on Your Leadership
Just as you review your team’s performance, evaluate your own. Are your actions aligned with your values? Hold yourself accountable to your own definition of success. Ongoing self-reflection keeps you grounded in your inner scorecard.
🔘 Lead by Example
Embody your values in your decisions and actions. Transparency about your journey inspires trust and encourages others to embrace their own inner scorecards.
Take-home message:
🦉 Lead from Within
Embrace your inner scorecard by defining your values, setting personal standards, and measuring success on your own terms.
Leadership isn’t about external validation; it’s about making a genuine impact that resonates with who you truly are.
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About the Author:
Nick is passionate about enabling people and businesses to reach their full potential. He taps into over 25+ years of truly diverse leadership experience, challenging the status quo - to ultimately define a clear strategic path forward and propel success.
Thought Leader | Board member | Founder of Aktina Group Consulting | Proud Father
This is an important topic in leadership, especially regarding establishing our values and standards. Thanks for sharing!