598 – Do Your Leaders Know the Score?

598 – Do Your Leaders Know the Score?

Author: Henry Lopez March 2, 2026 Duration: 20:50

If your leaders don't know how they're measured, you can't expect consistent performance or real ownership.

Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/598-do-your-leaders-know-the-score/ 

Frustrated with inconsistent performance from your managers or senior team members? The issue may not be motivation, it may be measurement.

In this episode, Henry Lopez breaks down why leadership performance problems often stem from a lack of role clarity, measurable outcomes, and transparent KPIs.

Without clearly defined metrics, even highly motivated leaders drift. Expectations become subjective. Feedback becomes emotional. And performance becomes inconsistent.

Henry explains the difference between expectations and KPIs and why outcomes, not activity, must be measured.

He walks through:

How to define company-level KPIs first

How employee KPIs must roll up to business goals

Why 2 to 5 KPIs per leader is the right number

The importance of transparency in formulas and data sources

Why ownership requires control

How KPIs improve engagement, fairness, and accountability

As Henry says, "If employees don't know how you measure their performance, you can't expect them to win."

If you want stronger leadership, clearer accountability, and more consistent results in your small business, this episode provides a practical framework you can implement immediately..

This episode is hosted by Henry Lopez. The How of Business podcast focuses on helping you start, run, grow and exit your small business. The How of Business is a top-rated podcast for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Find the best podcast, small business coaching, resources and trusted service partners for small business owners and entrepreneurs at our website https://TheHowOfBusiness.com


Henry Lopez hosts The How of Business-How to start, run, grow and exit a small business. It’s a practical resource for anyone who wants to move beyond just the idea of entrepreneurship and into the actual work of building something. Each week, the focus is on the tangible steps and decisions involved in a business’s entire lifecycle, from that initial launch through to managing daily operations, scaling up, and even planning a future exit. You’ll hear straightforward conversations that dig into specific topics, breaking down complex challenges into manageable advice. Often, Henry sits down with a small business owner who shares their real-world experiences-the successes and the setbacks-offering a genuine look at what it takes. This podcast is built on the understanding that running a business is a series of learned skills, and it aims to provide those lessons without fluff. Whether you're sketching your first plan on a napkin or steering an established company toward growth, the discussions here are meant to be directly applicable to your own journey. Tune in for a regular dose of clarity and concrete strategies from someone who understands the day-to-day realities you face.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The How of Business - How to start, run, grow and exit a small business.
Podcast Episodes
543: The 1-3-1 Problem Solving Method [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:02
1-3-1 Problem Solving Method, a simple yet effective approach to empower your team to independently tackle and solve problems in your small business. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/542-employee-on-boar…
542: Six Stages of Successful Employee On-Boarding [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:31
The 6 Stages of Successful Employee On-Boarding for small businesses. How to create an effective on-boarding process that sets new hires and contractors up for long-term success. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusi…
541: Navigating Growth with Garrett Delph [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:21
Navigating growth while minimizing chaos in your small business, with entrepreneur Garrett Delph. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/541-garrett-delph-navigating-growth/ In this episode of The How of Busin…
540: Is Your Small Business Competitive? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:00
Is your small business competitive? Whether you are starting a business, or running and growing a small business, you must be able to beat the competition in your selected market for your business to remain viable. Show…
R239: Small Business Success Requires Personal Sacrifice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:49
Achieving small business success requires personal sacrifice. What are you willing to sacrifice to launch and grow your small business? Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/r239-personal-sacrifice/ This is a…
539: Is Your Small Business Scalable? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:58
Is your small business Scalable? How do you know if you are ready to scale, and how do you grow your business to the next level? Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/539-is-your-business-scalable/ How and wh…
538: Five Pillars of Leadership with Brian Gottlieb [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:27
The Five Pillars of Leadership to help you lead a high-performing small business, with Brian Gottlieb. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/538-brian-gottlieb-5-leadership-pillars/ Brian shares his entrepren…
537: Is Your Small Business Profitable? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:08
Is your small business profitable, and is the business consistently and sufficiently profitable? Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/537-profitable-small-business/ And if you've not started your business ye…
536: Exceptional Customer Experiences with Samantha Irwin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:42
Creating Exceptional Customer Experiences in your small business with customer service expert Samantha Irwin. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/536-samantha-irwin-customer-expereinces/ On this episode we…
535: Accounting & Taxes with Jessica Zoraida [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:41
Accounting and tax considerations for small business with Jessica Zoraida, the Founder and CEO of Big Picture Results. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/535-jessica-zoraida-accounting-tax/ Jessica shares…