Confident People Aren’t Afraid to Be Measured

How different would sports be if no one kept score? Would fans still get excited? Would players give their all? And how would you distinguish the best from the rest? While some may say eliminating competition means everyone wins, others might argue that everyone loses. The fact is, competition pushes you to be your best, not just better than the rest. This scenario can easily apply to other areas of life. What happens when people refuse to keep score — when their actions aren’t measured or they aren’t held accountable?

You might wonder what keeping score motivates us to do. First, it compares your performance with others, preventing you from thinking you’re excelling when you’re falling behind. Second, it provides valuable feedback on where you’re thriving and how you can improve your game. Third, it allows you to benchmark against top performers and identify areas for improvement. Fourth, it recognizes and rewards those who contribute the most, motivating them to keep striving for excellence. Fifth, it unites the team in pursuit of a common goal — winning! Finally, it underscores personal responsibility: Your effort is crucial to the team’s success.

Why Do People Resist Being Held Accountable?

Despite the benefits of keeping score, some people resist being measured because they view accountability as a source of pressure and stress. Others, however, welcome feedback, as it showcases their performance, reveals areas for improvement, and motivates them to improve daily.

Here are seven reasons why people resist being measured and held accountable:

“I prefer staying out of the spotlight.”
“I don’t want to be compared to others.”
“I’m not obligated to justify my actions when I’m not evaluated.”
“I’m unsure whether I’m meeting expectations.”
“I’m concerned I might not be adding enough value.”
“I’m worried about receiving negative feedback.”
“I’m nervous that increased scrutiny might require more effort.”

What Do You Have to Hide?

If you’re confident in your abilities, consistently exceed expectations, and strive for continuous improvement, you have no reason to fear being measured. On the other hand, if you’re worried about facing the truth, don’t care about meeting expectations, and prefer to coast rather than strive for excellence, your apprehension is understandable.

Some people think if they don’t know their faults, they don’t have any.

Measurement is not just useful — it’s essential. It boosts accountability and focus, leading to better results. As Peter Drucker, the esteemed consultant, educator, and author, famously said, “What gets measured gets managed. And what gets managed, gets done” Whether you’re just starting out or at the top of your game, clear goals and metrics drive you to hit your targets. No matter how you slice it, accountability is a game-changer. Confident people see measurement as a reflection of their progress, not a judgment of their worth. That’s the score.