When it comes to measuring growth and value, numbers often lead the way. We’ve been taught to count, calculate, and compare for as long as we can remember. Traditional key performance indicators (KPIs) have long held the throne in business, education, and even in some models of personal progress. But beneath the surface, there’s a growing need to ask: Do these familiar numbers capture what truly matters, for people and for our shared future?
Why traditional KPIs are everywhere
We use traditional KPIs because they are clear, quantifiable, and seem objective. Revenue, profit, units sold, web traffic, graduation rates—these numbers shape decisions everywhere. They are easy to gather, chart, and compare. In many cases, they do help us answer questions like, “How much did we grow last quarter?” or “Did we meet our sales targets?”
KPIs often fall into these broad categories:
- Financial: sales, profit, cost reduction
- Quantitative: production volume, speed, error rates
- Customer/employee data: satisfaction scores, retention
At first glance, these metrics seem to offer a full story. But do they really?
What we measure shapes what we value.
Where KPIs fall short
Our experience tells us there are always side effects and second-order outcomes. When we focus only on profit, for instance, what happens to well-being, trust, or community ties? If a school improves test scores but burns out teachers and students, can we truly call that success?
KPI-centered thinking often moves attention away from human needs and long-term consequences. We have seen many examples where chasing numbers led to short-term gains, only to be followed by exhaustion, disconnection, or even collapse.
- Staff turnover spikes when well-being is sacrificed to deliver short-term targets
- Communities can fray when local businesses put numbers ahead of care and connection
- Innovation may stall because growth at any cost wins over thoughtful improvement
The emergence of human impact metrics
We believe measuring human impact brings a deeper clarity. Human impact metrics ask: How do our actions affect people—in our organizations, families, cities, and beyond? What kind of culture are we creating? Are we preserving dignity and well-being? Is there alignment with lived values?
Human impact metrics are different because they make people, relationships, and collective well-being the central focus of measurement and decision-making.
Some examples include:
- Degree of psychological safety in the workplace
- Quality of listening and dialogue within teams
- Participation and inclusion rates in decision-making
- Community improvement indexes beyond economic data
- Reported meaning and purpose among employees
These may sound abstract at first. Yet, when we truly look, what matters most to people—feeling seen, valued, and safe—shapes not only results, but also the legacy we leave.
What is measured, is managed. What isn’t measured, is often ignored.
How human impact metrics change organizations
We have observed that when organizations measure human impact, something powerful happens. Priorities shift. Instead of looking only at numbers, leaders and teams start to ask harder questions: Did this quarter’s changes support our team’s growth? Are we strengthening trust with our customers? Are our actions making things better or worse for the broader community?
We noticed several shifts when human impact metrics moved to the forefront:
- Team meetings included more time for feedback, not just dashboards
- Well-being initiatives received ongoing investments, not just one-off events
- Recognition shifted to how someone helped others thrive, not just how much they sold or produced
- Projects paused for reflection after learning about unexpected personal or social consequences
Measuring human impact creates a feedback loop empowering real growth—for people and organizations.
Bringing together numbers and meaning
We don’t believe in discarding KPIs entirely. Numbers still matter. But we see their real value when they serve, not overshadow, our collective human flourishing. The balance comes when we connect the measurable with the meaningful.
In our work, we have seen that leaders who track both KPIs and human impact find deeper insights and create steadier, more positive change. They respond to questions that numbers alone cannot answer.
What truly matters most?
It’s easy to be drawn into counting what is easiest or most familiar. But when we look around, what stays with us? The numbers, or the way we treated one another?
Lasting value lives in the human legacy we leave behind.
If we want to build something enduring, healthy, and meaningful, we must shape our definitions of value to match. That means measuring not just what is gained, but what is preserved, what is improved, and what is humanized along the way.
Conclusion
We believe measuring human impact moves us closer to what truly matters. Traditional KPIs provide needed clarity but cannot reveal the full story. When we add human impact metrics—when we ask whether decisions honor dignity, growth, and shared responsibility—our work gains meaning. Results become a true legacy, not just a statistic.
Frequently asked questions
What are human impact metrics?
Human impact metrics measure the effects of actions and decisions on people’s lives, well-being, and communities. These metrics track things like inclusion, trust, safety, personal growth, and the health of relationships, rather than just numbers or outputs.
How do KPIs differ from impact metrics?
Traditional KPIs focus on quantifiable results, like financials or output, while human impact metrics measure how decisions affect people, relationships, and the broader environment. KPIs often look at “how much” was achieved, while impact metrics ask “how did it affect others” and “what changed for the human good?”
Why use human impact metrics over KPIs?
Human impact metrics address what numbers miss: culture, well-being, inclusion, and legacy. They help organizations and communities make choices that serve the long-term health and richness of everyone involved, not just short-term gains.
Are human impact metrics worth tracking?
Tracking human impact metrics leads to better decision making and lasting value. They help organizations spot problems early, build trust, and create environments where people want to stay and grow. Over time, this forms the foundation for resilience and real progress.
How can I measure true human impact?
Start by listening: regular feedback, engagement surveys, and open conversations reveal what matters most to people. You can also track inclusion rates, psychological safety, community engagement, and personal growth stories. Mixing these with traditional metrics creates a clear and balanced picture of real value.
