Lead vs Lag Measures: Why They Make or Break Your Execution
- Andrew Estes
- Oct 14
- 2 min read
Every leader loves goals. But if you only measure results after they happen, you’re just keeping score—not improving the game. That’s where lead vs lag measures come in. They bridge the gap between vision and weekly action.
The Battle Between Lead vs Lag Measures
Lag measures tell you the result after the fact—attendance, giving, number of new groups, etc.
Lead measures track the behaviors that cause those results—calls made, invites extended, meetings held, commitments kept.
Lag measures are the scoreboard. Lead measures are your practice drills. Both matter, but only one you can control today.
Why Lead Measures Matter More Than You Think
Lead measures are predictive and influenceable. They show if momentum is building before the results show up. In 4DX, this is where execution lives and breathes—inside the weekly commitments you actually own.
When I coach teams through the Horizon Storyline from God Dreams, this is the bridge between your long-range vision and your 90-day foreground initiatives. The lag measure lives in the background (“Where are we going?”), but the lead measure lives in the foreground (“What will we do this week?”).
Examples Across Contexts
The magic is in picking a lead measure that is doable and trackable every week.
How to Choose a Good Lead Measure
A strong lead measure is: (1) Influenceable —you can act on it now. (2) Predictive —when it moves, your result moves. (3) Simple —easy to measure and remember.
Use your team’s Working Genius to shape these decisions: Wonder & Invention folks generate creative leads. Discernment tests which ones really matter. Enablement & Tenacity turn ideas into execution.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Tracking too many things (three or less is plenty).
• Confusing activity for impact (e.g., “emails sent” vs “responses received”).
• Reporting without reflection —don’t just count it; discuss it in your weekly cadence meeting.
Putting It All Together with Your Vision
In God Dreams, Will Mancini describes how a clear 90-day focus creates “unstoppable momentum.” The difference between lead vs lag measures is that lead measures are how you get there. They turn a dream into discipline.
If you want to see how your weekly commitments fit inside your 90-day, 1-year, and 3-year vision, download the God Dreams Visual Summary below. It’s a great tool for linking what you measure this week to what you pray God will do in the future.
Final Thought
Lead measures are like faith—they turn hope into action. Every step you measure is one more way your team walks toward the vision God gave you. Don’t wait for the scoreboard to change. Measure the movement you can make today.
Ready to connect your vision to consistent execution?
Book a Discovery Call to clarify your 90-day goals and weekly rhythms.
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