Page 127 - Perfect Phrases for Motivating and Rewarding

■ “Others would be more responsive to your valuable
suggestions if you preceded them with a positive statement
about what is right.”
■ “Rather than jump in with a ‘better idea,’ why not ask your
reports how they might make this work more effectively?”
■ “Implementing a new, company-wide accounting system is a
daunting task. Despite the learning curve, it will save us time
and money. I’m counting on you to focus on the positive when
you present the changeover to your staff.”

Complaints About the Rules

The Motivational Mindset
■ Rules, policies, procedures, and informal guidelines should
be governed by logic and support your organization’s values,
mission, and goals.
■ If “because I said so” is frustrating to a kid, it’s even more
frustrating to an adult. Give cogent reasons for policies and
procedures, not flip responses.
■ If someone requests that rules be bent for a good reason, be
flexible. Reconsider the rule or consider carefully why this
could be an exception.
■ You may have a policy allowing a certain number of days
off after the death of a family member, but if a dedicated
worker needs more time, the bottom line is that we’re all
human behind those policies and sometimes we need a little
understanding.
■ If a request is made for a particularly good reason, but the
exception cannot be made for everyone, explain your decision.
■ Don’t apply rules to some and not others. Favoritism
demotivates.

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