Thoughts on Leadership: Scorekeeping For Success

By Gino Blefari

This week, my travels took me to the East Bay of Northern California, a region not only known for its scenic beauty but also for its vibrant leadership landscape. My first engagement was an inspiring visit with Janice F. Whaley, President and CEO of Donor Network West, and William Bubba Paris, its Executive Director. Bubba, a former offensive left tackle for the San Francisco 49ers (main job, protecting Joe Montana’s blind side) and now a prolific author, motivational speaker, and community advocate, alongside Janice, whose leadership and operational acumen have marked significant advancements both in California and nationally, showcased their relentless dedication to the mission of organ donation. Established in 1987, Donor Network West connects life-saving gifts to those in need and fosters organ donation as a fundamental human responsibility.

Shortly after, I drove south to Pleasanton to meet with Rishi Bakshi, franchisee owner and President of Intero Real Estate Services, before his meeting with his leadership team. Their innovative spirit was especially evident in their new office, where they are setting benchmarks for real estate excellence in Northern California.

The week continued as I attended my usual early Tuesday meetings: the Berkshire Hathaway Energy Weekly Executive Team Meeting followed by the HomeServices of America 2025 Plan Review. The afternoon was dedicated to our HomeServices of America monthly leadership virtual meeting, which was particularly enlightening. Maria Kazakos, Senior Vice President of Sales at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Carolinas Realty, discussed “The Power of Keeping Score and the Why?”—her insights served as the catalyst for this week’s blog theme.

Maria’s insights were influenced by the principles outlined by Tommy Camp, President and CEO of Berkahire Hathaway HomeServices Carolinas Realty and a firm believer in Scorekeeping for Success. Tommy embraced the idea that measuring performance can not only improve it but also accelerate its rate of improvement when these measurements are reported and analyzed.

From our experience, we’ve seen firsthand how establishing clear goals and consistently tracking progress taps into a natural human inclination towards achievement. This isn’t just about noting where we stand; it’s about transforming these insights into actionable, meaningful practices that drive forward movement.

Implementing a thoughtful scorekeeping system has proven to significantly boost productivity and overall success. It encourages a focus on positive achievements and supports an environment where team members feel motivated by clear, measurable objectives. Here are the key lessons we’ve adopted:

1. Positive Reinforcement vs. Negative Measurement: Scorekeeping should focus on positive achievements rather than deficits. This positive process is akin to celebrating wins in a sports game — tracking the successful passes and goals, rather than the misses, which fosters a more engaged and motivated environment.
2. Historical Example of Effective Scorekeeping: The Wall Street Journal, initiated by Charles Henry Dow and Edward David Jones, is a quintessential example of scorekeeping. Their method of averaging the worth of 11 stocks not only simplified complex stock market data but also established a trusted system that continues to guide investors today.
3. Feedback and Engagement: Effective feedback is crucial for a successful scorekeeping system. It should be timely, detailed, and constructive, allowing team members to understand their progress and areas of improvement.
4. The Need for a Scoreboard: Visibility of progress through a clear scoreboard is essential. It not only organizes but also motivates by showing real-time progress against goals.
5. Leadership’s Role: The ultimate success of any scorekeeping system rests on leadership. Leaders must encourage, engage, and exemplify the behaviors they wish to see, making the system not only necessary but effective.

So, what’s the message? Success in leadership is measurable and quantifiable. It’s about setting clear goals, tracking progress, and continuously seeking new ways to achieve and celebrate success. As we embrace these practices, we not only inspire our teams but also pave the way for sustained organizational achievements.