I love dashboards that show the vital stats of an organization at a glance. I recommend them wholeheartedly.

There’s a danger though. Once that beautiful real-time dashboard is a click away, it can be tempting to spend too much time checking results. (I’ve been known to check real-time sales stats before, during, and after a staff meeting.) It feels good when the numbers are up, but checking progress can be a distraction from creating progress.

Create progress through clear strategy and deliberate, consistent action. Check progress often enough to know what’s working and what’s not. Know the score but focus on playing the game.