The hidden dangers of quantitative measurements

Quantitative measurements are ubiquitous in our modern world. From social media engagement metrics to student test scores, big numerical data drives much of our decision-making. However, while quantitative measurements can be valuable tools, relying too heavily on them can lead to hidden dangers and unintended consequences.

One of the primary dangers of quantitative measurements is that they seldom capture the full picture. Quantitative measures are often based on numerical data, but they may not fully capture the complexity and nuances of a situation. For example, a company may prioritize financial metrics like revenue and profit margins, but this may overlook important qualitative factors like employee satisfaction or customer loyalty. Similarly, in education, a focus on test scores may ignore important aspects of student learning like critical thinking or creativity.

Quantitative measurements may also not account for unintended consequences. Focusing too heavily on a single metric can lead to unintended consequences or long-term impacts that are not fully considered. For example, a company may prioritize short-term profits based on quantitative measures, but this may lead to negative consequences for employees or the environment. Similarly, policies that prioritize standardized test scores may lead to a narrowing of the curriculum and a focus on rote memorization rather than deeper learning.

Another danger to think about is that we, as a society, tend to think of numerical metrics as “objective” or “unbiased”. We are beginning to transfer this line of thinking to mathematical formulas and algorithms. Imagine the kind of danger this kind of thinking poses: “I did this because the algorithm said so.” I wonder, are we the user or the used?

Finally, quantitative measurements can also create perverse incentives. When organizations rely too heavily on quantitative measures, it can create perverse incentives for individuals to focus on meeting these measures at the expense of other vital factors. For example, in healthcare, a focus on patient satisfaction scores may lead to the overprescription of antibiotics or opioids to please patients, rather than providing appropriate medical care. Similarly, in education, focusing on standardized test scores may lead teachers to prioritize test preparation over more meaningful learning experiences.

The rise of AI tools and the advancement of computers can allow us to appreciate different kinds of measurements and pieces of evidence — both quantitative and qualitative data. Our challenge is to refuse complacency and the temptation to give up our ability to think critically.

The greatest disservice we can do to ourselves is to reduce our humanity into a single metric. We are greater than the sums and products of our grades and net worth. We are greater than the summary of perceptions others ascribe on us.

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Luke 6:36-38. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-065: MARCH 6, 2023]

Even when it feels unpleasant, we are called to go above the bare minimum

I’ve been reflecting about what separates greed and flourishing. Although these pertain to a pursuit of “more”, they can be contextualized differently.

Greed is when we lust to accumulate things and experiences that make us feel good without consideration of how we might deprive others.

Flourishing can transpire when we commit to virtues and going above the bare minimum even when it does not feel good in the short term.

Greed can be characterized by disgusting excess – like overeating in a buffet until we vomit. On the other hand, flourishing can be characterized by sufficiency and fulfillment – like sharing food, moments, and piece of ourselves during a meaningful feast.

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Matthew 5:43-48. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same?

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-063: MARCH 4, 2023]

Our spirits flourish when we share a piece of ourselves with each other

Even outside the confines of religion and belief in the supernatural, we can define spirituality a person’s connection to something greater than ourselves, which can include a sense of purpose, meaning, or transcendence.

A “whole person” is greater than the sum of their body parts. Perhaps a good way to characterize “spirit” is when two or more persons become greater than the sum of their individuality – like a band finding the groove or a group finding team flow.

There is something greater that emerges when we are able to harmonize with each other beyond a mere transactional exchange. Maybe organizational theorists would could this morphogenetic cycle “culture”; but maybe we are already intimately familiar with this entity that we can call as “spirit”.

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Matthew 7:7-12. Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-061: MARCH 2, 2023]

It’s less about the words we write and more about the insights we arrive at

To me, writing, praying and meditating are opportunities to be self-aware. Where are our thoughts tending to go? What are we feeling? What is our context?

More importantly, these are opportunities to be aware of a Higher Power. For the non-religious, this could be a realization that we are part of something greater than ourselves. For the faithful, this could be God and how we characterize Him in the way that makes most sense to us.

And if God is the Primary Insight, then prayers are opportunities for inquiry. Oftentimes we are challenged to find answers and validate them ourselves; but sometimes, we can enjoy unexpected eureka moments. Maybe it’s like a parent doing his child a favor without the child knowing how things happened at all.

Thus, it’s less about the quantity of words we write but more about going through inquiry and articulation, again and again, until insights visit us.

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Matthew 6:7-15. In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-059: FEBRUARY 28, 2023]

We prove ourselves not to others, but to our ever-evolving mission

I’ve been afforded a fortunate vantage point – being a teacher-slash-administrator of an academic program I was a graduate of. I see some pieces of me in every student I mentor, and this makes the space I am at all the more crucial.

I feel that if I’m not providing advice and opportunities that allow the new generation to be better than what I was back then, I would not be doing a good job or at least perform in a way that I would be proud of myself.

Looking at my past self and witnessing the journey of my students, I see how challenging peer pressure and hustle culture could be. At an age where our bodies are literally changing, the world ever-so-evolving, and the real world comes knocking, how do we find time to find our mission?

Our college lives are when it’s best to have an idea about our sense of self and what our mission could be. And it’s okay if we cannot articulate these as clearly as we would want – what matters is that we’re exerting the effort, experimenting, and willing to learn.

What should be managed is how much value we put to satisfying all the expectations of the world. As I ponder on these and witness my previous selves go through the same journey today, an insight seems to be getting clearer:

We prove ourselves not to others, but to our ever-evolving mission.

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Matthew 4:1-11. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry. The tempter approached and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread.”

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-057: FEBRUARY 26, 2023]