By Michael McCarthy
 

Once upon a time, Performance Improvement Consultant Russell Justice wisely said: "The best positive reinforcement is anything that gives us a story to tell."
 
People go home from work with stories to tell every day. Most of the stories are not very positive. We want to give people good stories to tell.  Good reinforcement “creates” a [...]

 
      When I was 11,  I cut the grass in my family’s yard all by myself for the first time. Tired and sweaty, I was so proud. A family friend drove into the driveway just as I was finishing. His first words out of the car were “You missed a spot behind the shrubs.” I was [...]

Start your department’s new year off with a book club. Learn something new and fun, and make your workplace more positive in the process.
May I suggest You Made My Day: Creating Co-worker Recognition & Relationships, by Michael McCarthy and Janis Allen, available on www.janisallen.com - just click on "bookstore." 
Here’s an exerpt from the book:
     Recognition and relationships are intertwined [...]

Here’s how to MAKE someone’s day:

Don’t just point out others’ mistakes. This breeds defensiveness and creates a negative, fearful culture.
Give your attention to those specific actions people do well. Don’t let just squeaky wheels get the grease. Stop by good performers’ workplaces sometimes and ask, “How do you do this so well?” Close mouth and [...]

The road to a blah workplace is paved with good intentions  .  .  .

“I intended to let Michelle know what a good impression she made on our visitors.”
“I meant to tell Derek that his solution worked for our team and saved us hours of work.”

But time is precious.
In just 30 seconds, put your good intentions into [...]