This study focuses on the use of traffic lights by a Registered Social Landlord (RSL) as a visual
representation of self conduct that reflects a way of thinking, acting and constituting a ‘well
governed, well managed and viable’ housing association. We show that the visible representation
of traffic lights introduced by the regulator as indicators of performance has been
used widely by the RSL to reflect two self-imposed principles of continuous improvement
and self assessment. In this context the different accounts of governmentality within the
RSLs board reports are studied and some significant insights suggested.