Page 189 - Roy W. Rice - CEO Material How to Be a Leader in Any Organization-McGraw-Hill (2009)

170 • CEO Material: How to Be a Leader in Any Organization

Spend as much time in recognition and praise as in criticism. (Stud-
ies show that marriages last longer if for every negative interchange, there
are five positive ones.) People at all levels crave praise. It makes people feel
that their hard work isn’t in vain. So give praise—even if you have to do
like one CEO told me, “I schedule in praise on my calendar.”
The best feedback you can give to others is noticing something pos-
itive about the person and saying it out loud to the person or to someone
else who will likely tell the person.
Address behavior, not character or motives. Maintain the person’s self-
esteem while you address limiting behavior that is offensive. “Your pres-
entation needs improvement in . . .” is different from “You always
disappoint me in your presentations, and I feel that you don’t care.”
If you don’t change after hearing feedback, people will conclude that
you don’t (1) listen and learn, (2) believe and trust their opinion, and (3)
care about their judgment. They will cease caring about you and provid-
ing you with feedback and will put their effort into someone who is inter-
ested. If you refuse to change, at least surround yourself with people who
make up for your weaknesses.
Get feedback. Get suggestions to improve. Try a suggestion. Get
feedback if that resulted in an improvement. Then add additional sug-
gested improvements or tips, check the results, and continue the cycle.
When you work with noble intent, intense focus and effort, and your
spirits are lifted with your results, do not look to others for approval or
appreciation. Your own judgment outweighs theirs.