Tuesday’s Chill Pill: The Power of Positive Reinforcement

True leaders know that the real secret to getting others to pitch in with vigor (and happiness) is a strong emphasis on the positive.

How many times have you delegated something, like loading the dishwasher or cleaning up a messy room, only to focus on everything that the person did wrong? How motivating do you think that is? If you were in their shoes, would you want to keep at something you have been told you have done all wrong? Even if there are 99 bad things about the job they have done and only 1 good thing, start by praising the one good thing. Draw out the other person’s innate desire to do work that is worthy of praise.

Someone wise once said: “Appreciation of a good quality by a superior is like drawing the sprout from the seed, and the tree of good qualities grows from there.”

Each time you delegate, you have a unique opportunity to inspire another to grow in good. Be sure to take it. You’ll be delighted with the results.