> [!bot-text] AI-generated > This text was drafted by [[Jake]] and has been reviewed. > [!info] Source > [Don’t Let Metrics Undermine Your Business](https://hbr.org/2019/09/dont-let-metrics-undermine-your-business) > by [[Michael Harris]], [[Bill Tayler]] > Related: <!-- IQ: =this.related -->[[Concepts/iaclass.md|iaclass]], [[shortlist|shortlist]], [[Concepts/management.md|management]]<!-- /IQ --> ## Summary Companies often replace abstract strategy with the measurable metrics meant to represent it, a tendency called surrogation. Flawed or single-minded metrics can warp behavior and destroy long-term value, as at Wells Fargo. Use multiple, well-aligned measures, loosen incentive links, and remind employees that metrics represent strategy—not replace it. *(Summarized by Ghostreader)* ## Significance > [!bot-text] > A classic on 'surrogation': how employees substitute hard metrics for abstract strategy, and why that substitution destroys value — essential context for any measurement-heavy practice. ## Claims & insights Claims that cite this summary (claims link here via `source`): <!-- QueryToSerialize: TABLE WITHOUT ID link(file.link, file.title) AS "Claim", confidence AS "Confidence" FROM #claim WHERE contains(file.outlinks, [[Summary - Don’t Let Metrics Undermine Your Business]]) SORT file.mtime DESC --> <!-- SerializedQuery: TABLE WITHOUT ID link(file.link, file.title) AS "Claim", confidence AS "Confidence" FROM #claim WHERE contains(file.outlinks, [[Summary - Don’t Let Metrics Undermine Your Business]]) SORT file.mtime DESC --> | Claim | Confidence | | ----- | ---------- | <!-- SerializedQuery END -->