Note 156 – Comparing ‘efficiency’ and ‘effectiveness’

During my research today, I found many definitions and explanations of the words efficiency and effectiveness, but my favourites are Peter F. Drucker’s and the Cambridge Dictionaries online:

Definitions from Cambridge Dictionaries Online

Efficiency
When someone or something uses time and energy well, without wasting any
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/efficiency?q=efficiency

Effectiveness 
Successful or achieving the results that you want
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/effective_1?q=effectiveness

Peter F. Drucker’s explanation

When comparing the words efficiency and effectiveness for an individual it may be wise to remember Peter F Drucker‘s saying: “Efficiency is doing things right; effectiveness is doing the right things”.  This is similar to another saying of his: “Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things”, which would suggest to me that management are efficient and leaders are effective.  Your thoughts?

In Peter F. Drucker’s book The Essential Drucker he explains that “for manual work we only need efficiency, that is, the ability to do things right rather than the ability to get the right things done”, whereas effectiveness is what turns intelligence, imagination and knowledge into results. 

Sentences using efficiency and effectiveness

• The energy efficiency is the new house is excellent.
• We liked the efficiency of the bar staff – we were served so quickly and with a smile.
• The teacher’s effectiveness was based on her pupils’ exam results.
• Janet continued to go to work whilst sick, which lowered her effectiveness as a manager.

My thoughts: This one was tougher than I thought today.  I always use my own examples when coming up with sentences but it took me a while tonight to come up with words using effectiveness.  I got there in the end, but can you think of any others?

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Until tomorrow…

Sandra

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Reference list:

Cambridge Dictionaries online:
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/efficiency?q=efficiency
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/effective_1?q=effectiveness

The Essential Drucker by Peter F. Drucker (US)