We at Torani consider ourselves a 90-year-old startup. We have grown over 20 percent a year on average for the past 25 years, and have risen from a small San Francisco brand to one recognized in cafes and bars worldwide. Yet … of all the things of which we’re proud, our double-digit growth rates are lower on the list than you might think. That’s a lagging indicator of success. The leading indicator is the growth and development of our people.

With people at the center of how we think about our business, I’d been on the lookout for an alternative to performance reviews. I don’t know if you’ve ever personally experienced a performance review, but I’ve found them a little demoralizing and a waste of time. In fact, my experience of performance reviews is that they inhibit or distract an organization from performing.