Staying positive in our current environment is sometimes hard to do, but it is more important than ever. Under times of great economic stress and changing markets, focusing on the positive can help keep your employees motivated and productive.
The idea that positive reinforcement is a more effective form of performance management is not a new concept; however, it is sometimes hard to remind ourselves of this when we don't see our team members producing as much new business as we would like them to. It is much easier to point to what our people are not doing versus what they are doing well. Using positive reinforcement doesn't mean you stop holding your people accountable; rather, it is a way to provide feedback that helps your people stay motivated and grow.
Psychologist Donald O. Clifton points out in his book, "How Full is Your Bucket," that it takes five positive interactions to counter every one negative interaction. Focusing on positivity and maintaining a positive working environment doesn't necessarily mean lavishing your people with gifts, but it starts with the daily gestures of appreciation and recognizing people's efforts.
In a client's process of organizational change, leaders used small acts of positive reinforcement to recognize and focus on the company's values and strengths with monthly calls with DBH to support them during their transition. In each meeting the leader made a point to acknowledge specific strengths of each account executive that helped the company change from a referral-based company to one actively seeking out new opportunities.
By learning to point out small accomplishments during their process of change, they became more motivated to get to where they are today. And with each small step celebrated, they were able to reach their goals and build esteem throughout the organization.
So, when your first impulse is to focus solely on the negative, challenge yourself to make an effort to point out the positive in your employees.
© Arc, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to TMSalesOperations@arc-network.com. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.