Association vs. Mission

[New Metrics for Success – IV]

There’s strong association between doughnut eaters and volunteerism at church.
There’s an association between youth sports and positive self-image.
There’s a telling association between A students and civic activity.

If doughnut eating, sports, or grades are the mission, measure for that. The association, while a positive association, is merely a benefit, not the mission itself.

Specificity helps here.
So does focus.

Associations, positive or negative, only blur our targets. (And are often a sign in losing trust in the mission.)