Positive and Negative Feedback

Salaam and Greetings,

When I got back home last night, I was cleaning up my book rack (long overdue if you ask my wife). One book caught my eye, entitled “Whale Done! – The Power of Positive Relationships” by Ken Blanchard, Thad Lacinak, Chuck Tompkins and Jim Ballard. This book was introduced to me by a friend exactly seven years ago next month.

I did a lot of growing up in a military high school, and later when I joined the Army, they left quite an impression on me. Some people may argue against me, but, the Army I remembered is never known to be generous with compliments and positive remarks. Somehow, I learned and accepted it as such, and became like them. Years later, I realize, there must be a better way to lead and inspire people.

I figured giving compliments was the way, as I love to be recognized and complimented too. Who wouldn’t?

I then proceeded to give compliments. Unfortunately, I didn’t do it quite well. I gave it too much to too many people and it backfired. Some people were only doing work simply because they were waiting for my compliments, and the other half, laughed at me because they think I wasn’t serious enough. I didn’t know how to balance the two.

Reading this book, gave me the sense of balance I needed. Yes, giving compliments and positive remarks is still a strong motivating factor. However, as leaders, we need to manage it so that, eventually, our people will do it because they want to, not because of our compliments and our presence.

If the authors of this book can get a Killer Whale to do their bidding and the Killer Whales love doing them, I am certain, as leaders, we can do wonders to our people.