This week on Better Business, Better Life, host Debra Chantry-Taylor tackles the trap of “smoking hopium”, when leaders rely on misleading metrics that give a false sense of security. From the all-green illusion of vanity measures to the always-red fantasy of unrealistic targets, Debra unpacks why both approaches damage trust, morale, and results.
Through real-world stories and practical tools, she explains how to replace hopium with clarity: setting outcome-driven measurables, building scorecards that truly predict success, and fostering a culture where honest reds and greens are celebrated.
Whether you’re a visionary frustrated with slow progress or a leader striving for accountability, this episode will equip you to measure what matters, set achievable goals, and build momentum the right way, one honest metric at a time.
CONNECT WITH DEBRA:
___________________________________________
►Debra Chantry-Taylor is a Certified EOS Implementer | Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Coach | Business Owner
►Connect with Debra: debra@businessaction.com.au
►See how she can help you: https://businessaction.co.nz/
Episode 236 Chapters:
00:00 – Smoking Hopium: Introduction to Data Scorecards
02:57 – The All-Green Illusion: Measuring the Wrong Things
03:38 – The Always-Red Fantasy: Setting Realistic Targets
05:45 – Replacing Hopium with Clarity: Practical Steps
08:36 – The Importance of Numbers: Clarity, Behaviour, and Action
08:50 – Scorecard Measurables: Sales, Marketing, HR, and Finance
27:44 – Building Trust in Numbers: Avoiding Manipulation
28:52 – Fixing a Broken Scorecard: A Seven-Step Reset
29:52 – The Five Leadership Abilities: Simplify, Delegate, Predict, Systemise, and Structure
32:10 – Systemise and Structure: Ensuring Consistency and Accountability
37:05 – Building a Culture of Truth: Celebrating Honest Results
38:22 – Call to Action: Auditing and Improving Scorecards
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist
It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.