The Value of Goodness

This article is an "Extended Cut" (as they say it for the movies) of my earlier post about measuring good OR You can't measure good!.

In the month of November/December 2024, I was traveling across Colombia and had some great experiences there. One such was, celebrating Christmas at a foundation for underprivileged children in a city called Rionegro (Medellin International Airport).

I was there with my friend who's family is a trustee of the foundation (FUNDACION JESUS INFANTE , VEREDA EL CAPIRO PONTEZUELA FINCA LA ISLA , RIONEGRO ANTIOQUIA COLOMBIA). I spent the whole day among these children, eating with them, playing football, and talking to them.

The kind of happiness I felt there is something I can't express in words here. But one thing is for sure, I understood that YOU CAN'T MEASURE GOOD!

Measurement is a profoundly powerful tool.

You can’t run an organization without measuring things.

But measurement is a tool and it doesn’t capture all truth. You can’t actually measure good.

I don’t think any of us when we die and visit with the angels, are going to be asked, how come you switched 5 jobs and not 10?

How come you learned 8 programming languages and not 15?

Why did you coach 2500 people and not 7500?

You can’t measure good.

It says in my tradition, which is shared by many of your traditions, you save one life, you save the world.

I think you stay in the game maintaining the patience, tolerating the moments of despair by staying in touch with the good that you’re doing, the meaning of the good that you’re doing that’s beyond any measure. And by giving yourself permission to take pleasure and heart and joy in the fruits of your own labor.

Measurement can help us track progress, but it cannot quantify the value of kindness, compassion, or the lives we touch. The joy we share and the connections we make often hold more meaning than any metrics or accolades.

Measurement is an important tool in life—it helps us set goals, track progress, and evaluate success. It’s why we count steps to stay healthy, measure profits to grow businesses, and monitor time to meet deadlines. But while measurement has its place, there are parts of life it simply cannot capture. You can’t measure kindness, compassion, or the lives we touch. How do you quantify the feeling of someone smiling because you helped them? Or the sense of peace a comforting word brings to someone in pain? These are the things that make life meaningful, but they exist outside the realm of numbers and metrics.

Think about it: when we look back on our lives, the moments that stand out are rarely the ones tied to measurable achievements. It’s not about how many promotions we got, how many certifications we earned, or how many milestones we hit on a checklist. Instead, it’s about the relationships we built, the people we helped, and the ways we made the world a little better for someone else. A hug from a friend, a meal shared with a loved one, or a small act of generosity—these are the moments that leave a lasting impact, even though they can’t be tracked or tallied.

The world often encourages us to measure everything—to always look for tangible proof of success. But the truth is, the most profound things in life often defy measurement. The love between a parent and child, the trust between friends, or the courage it takes to keep going through tough times—these can’t be put into a spreadsheet or charted on a graph. And yet, they’re the things that truly matter. They’re the things that give life its depth and richness.

Kindness and compassion are especially immeasurable. When you help someone, you might not see the ripple effect it creates. A small gesture—holding a door open, listening to someone who needs to talk, or offering encouragement—can brighten a day or even change a life. You may never know the full extent of the impact, and that’s okay. The value lies in the act itself, not in how it’s measured.

It’s important to remind ourselves of this, especially in moments of doubt or frustration. When the numbers don’t seem to add up, or the progress feels slow, take a step back. Reflect on the good you’ve done, the lives you’ve touched, and the meaning behind your efforts. These are the true measures of success, even if they’re invisible to the metrics we use in daily life.

So, let measurement serve its purpose, but don’t let it define your worth or your impact. Remember that the things that truly matter—kindness, love, connection—exist beyond numbers. They are felt, shared, and remembered in ways that can never be fully captured, yet they leave an indelible mark on the world.

As a leader in the industry, I recognize the value of measurement in driving progress, setting goals, and achieving results. However, I also understand that the most impactful aspects of leadership—kindness, empathy, and meaningful connections—cannot be quantified. True leadership is about creating a positive ripple effect, inspiring others, and making a difference that transcends numbers.

While metrics help track performance, the true legacy of a leader lies in the lives they touch and the culture they nurture. Acts of compassion, encouragement, and support may not appear on a report, but they build trust, resilience, and loyalty. As leaders, we must balance data-driven decisions with the human side of leadership, staying focused on the deeper purpose and values that define long-term success.

Ultimately, great leadership is measured not just by results but by the positive impact we leave behind.

For more articles, you can visit my personal blog here.