Sometimes I think that we have our priorities back to front. Achievement is seen as the pinnacle to aim for.

I have come to think that this is wrong.

My 12-year old daughter, Lauren, came home from school yesterday, proudly waving her grade book. She had been awarded A-1 in most subjects - a great achievement!

Then she sadly pointed out that her perfect score was marred by a B-1 in French and a C-1 in physical education.

I asked her what the scores meant. She said that the letter denotes achievement and the number, effort.

That was when it struck me that the grades were misleading. Surely the most important score is effort? Yet it is shown last.

I gave her a big hug and told her that in my book, she had a perfect score. It didn't matter that her achievement grade in French was a 'B' - the '1' showed that she had tried her hardest. That is something to make any parent proud.

Everybody is different. Everybody has a different potential. Like Lauren, we are not all destined to be fluent linguists or future track stars.

But without 100% effort no potential can be achieved - and that is a real waste.

Our programming to think in terms of A-1 extends way beyond the classroom. That is where the seed is sown, but the real effect is felt in business.

If I see a salesperson under-delivering, the first thing I want to examine is the effort being put in. If there is a problem with effort, the salesperson probably has no future. It is impossible to turn round someone who just wants an easy way out.

But, if I see 100% effort, but a lack of success, the salesperson is worth my effort in helping along. Maybe a bit of training will help, or a few pointers from a more successful colleague. I know that 100% effort, focused in the right direction, will always bring results - and that salesperson will fulfill their own potential. Whether that is an 'A' or a 'C'.

And who can ask more than that?