This evolution, over the last decade, has made boards better at dispensing tough, objective advice, governance experts say, and may even be playing a role in American companies' current run of success.
If a company wants you as their outsource contractor, but wants you to answer 99% of all calls within 15 seconds (that's one incredibly tough objective), you need to look closely at their previous data to make sure you can satisfy the contract.
If you are a student here, learn to develop your gut feel, make decisions, take risks, recognize talent, and work as a small team to accomplish tough objectives.
Hardcore players experienced with a wider range of characters will enjoy the new Events and Challenges, which put you in shoes of particular characters to take down tough objectives.
"I don't think the SignOn or the Change.org model can win really big and tough objectives," said one progressive leader who has worked with MoveOn, saying that such a mission required knowledgable staff guiding the strategies.
So what's the fair number to use? That's a tough question, a reminder that objective-seeming numbers can be quite subjective.
However, the industry is facing a tough problem: how to obtain a more objective and credible measurement result.
That was my long-term objective but it has been a tough stint so I'll be quite happy to have someone else come forward.
Last week, Ratzinger issued a tough new condemnation of homosexuality, calling it an "objective disorder" and reiterating traditional church teaching that all homosexual acts are immoral.
Those readers who are pursuing research careers on the academic ladder may continue to have a tough time achieving balance between personal and professional objectives.
Objective decision-making is important; but being a tough leader isn't the same as being a dictator.
