Measures of success

When I teach undergraduate research methods we spend a good deal of time focused on the idea of measurement...how do you measure an abstract concept?  I lead students through an exercise where they take a concept, like wisdom, and develop measurable indicators of the idea.  I usually start with a discussion of the college ranking system used by U.S. News and World Report.  We talk about the indicators used, such as graduation rates, average SAT scores, and faculty to student ratios.  Are those indicators of a "good" school?  Are they the best?  The only?  I have a great reading that talks about the value of "soft measures" as well.  Are the school grounds attractive?  Are the buildings well  maintained?  Are faculty in their offices?

Measuring success has been on my mind.  How will I know if I'm successful in my new position?  I have some clear metrics, increased undergraduate enrollment, increased alumni support, and more faculty publications.  But on the day to day activities I find it harder.  Often after a meeting with faculty or alums I'm asked by my staff, "How did it go?"  I am baffled by the question.  What would make it a good meeting?  What would a successful outcome look like, or more importantly these days for me, what would it feel like?

After my first advisory board meeting I expected to feel either tremendously relieved to have gotten through it or wildly ecstatic about the outcome.  Instead, there was a blankness.  The meeting went well in that I was able to answer most questions, people seemed comfortable, there was conversation...was that the only goal?  What else could have happened?  It wasn't as stressful as I anticipated, so no big relief afterwards.  Is that good?  Should it be "just" another meeting?  Is it an indication that I was well-prepared?  I suppose what is nagging at me is that I somehow missed an opportunity...but for what?  I can't really think of what I would have done differently.

How should I measure my success on a day to day, meeting to meeting, basis?  What do I need to do to earn a gold star?