Can Friendship Be a KPI? How Relationships Shape a Sustainable Business with Tara Robertson

Engineering Calmer Agencies & Consulting Firms: Calm is the New KPI

Business is personal—so why do we so often separate relationships from our work?

In this episode, Tara Robertson, leadership coach and DEI consultant, shares why she set a KPI around the number of new friends she makes this year. We explore how measuring relationships impacts not only joy but also business sustainability.

Tara realized that working alone was draining her energy, so she made a bold decision: she would never go into an organization alone again. Instead, she’d co-lead, collaborate, and focus on working with values-aligned people who light her up. Now, she’s tracking new friendships as a key measure of success.

Together, we dig into:

• Why business and friendship aren’t at odds (despite what the corporate world tells us)
• How Tara defines friendship vs. business collaboration
• The impact of connection on work quality, creativity, and sustainability
• How setting a friendship-based KPI brings more joy and alignment to business decisions
• Different ways to track and measure relationships in your own work

Whether you're an extrovert looking for more collaboration or an introvert like me, figuring out how to intentionally create relationships in business can be a game-changer.

Connect with Tara:

• Website
• LinkedIn

Connect with Susan:

• Beyond Margins
• LinkedIn
• Bluesky

Resources & Related Episodes

• Karen Sargent on Client Report Cards

• (00:00) - EDIT 2 / Final E114 Tara Robertson
• (00:49) - The Importance of Friendships in Business
• (01:28) - Setting KPIs for Friendships
• (03:59) - Defining Friendships vs. Collaborations
• (06:23) - Tracking and Measuring Friendships
• (10:24) - Incorporating Friendships into Business
• (15:01) - Balancing Professionalism and Authenticity
• (25:40) - Conclusion: The Power of Connection

Grab the Calm Service Design + Delivery Swipe File here