Keeping track of progress toward objectives is something we all do to various levels of intensity. In some cases we monitor only ourselves, sometimes ourselves, others and a variety of variables.

Monitoring is typically around information gathering. The observations are used as input to deciding what changes to influence and then executing (control)

Unseen

The best monitoring and control practices are those that get results but without most people even being aware they are subject to monitoring or control.

Strong direction and brute force should be reserved for the exception situations. These methods can work occassionally but typically are not sustainable.

A key trait of strong leaders, one that does not recieve a lot of direct attention, is the ability to monitor whats going on and influence positive change and motivation without being obvious.

The best leaders or influencers act as catalysts, not directly participating in the reaction but are a critical component required for the best results ( in many cases for the action to even occur).

Guidance versus Direction

Often we need to help both our own others performance without directly influencing. This involves understanding what is occuring (monitoring) and providing a focus (control)

The best results are derived from leaders that practice these behaviours (monitoring and contolling) in a seemless was such that it is not apparent.

One of the key reasons for these is because inate human behaviour ( even our own internal behaviours) rebel against authority. It is part of our genetic makeup and only natural.