How do you know?

Are the operations of your organization delivering on it's mission statement? Are they doing so efficiently, making the most the organization's physical, financial and human resources? Are they sustainable? How do you know?

These are questions every member of an organization should be able to ask themselves and honestly answer. I say honestly, as the cultures of many organizations claim transparency, but very few practice it. Many topics are not discus-sable as the answers have personal, political and organizational consequences are challenging. But if your organization is really committed to its mission, qualitative and quantitative metrics can help identify strengths and reveal weaknesses. 

Self knowledge is essential to both the individual and the organization, build on strengths, mitigate weaknesses.