10 ‘Attaboys’ equals 1 ‘Gotcha’ (10 ‘AB’s = 1 GOTCHA)
It is too easy to flog wrong doers; to beat up on non-performers.
But it is harder to praise contributors.
And so let’s re-word that:
- Ineffective managers yell, rant and rave most of the time when things are not going well but are unseen when things are going well.
- Effective mangers are present and praising often and criticizing only when absolutely necessary and always in a constructive manner.
Managers who ‘smile up’ and ‘kick down’; bullies, emotional or physical, should not be tolerated but sadly some are and usually by CEOs who think that this protection also protects the ‘bottom line’.
The bottom line is that:
- Praise is a greater motivator than criticism and
- People will rise to the level of your expectations.
And that means 10 Attaboys will beat 1 I Gotcha’s every time!
The caution with this formula is that to combat the negative impact of every one ‘gotcha’ about 10 ‘attaboys’ are required! And as a leader therefore think about praising often and criticizing sparingly.