Celebrate What's Right
"[In business] we're trained to find things that are wrong, but I try to celebrate what's right."
This quote comes from "Lighting A Fire Under Campbell " in Business Week. The speaker is Douglas R. Conant, CEO of Campbell Soup Co. He's talking about motivating a whole company to sell more grocery items, but I think this advice also applies to those of us working on a project developing software.
It's easy to focus on what's wrong. As engineers, we're trained to identify what's wrong and fix it. And fixing what's wrong is ultimately what's necessary to improve your work. But we also need to take time to appreciate what's right. Ever done an especially good job and no one notices? Sucks, doesn't it? If you think back over yesterday, or the past week or month, probably somebody on your team did a good job that no one really noticed. Why not take some time to tell that person they did a good job? If you were them, wouldn't you appreciate that?
I find that one of the best things I can do to motivate people is to tell them they're doing a good job (when indeed they are). People like recognition and to feel appreciated. Make sure you're part of the solution and not part of the problem.
The article also has two sidebars. The first, "The Key Ingredient at Campbell: People," recommends:
- Use a personal touch
- Set expectations
- Open yourself up to opinions
- Create opportunities
The second sidebar, "The Executive's Book Club," lists several leadership books the Campbell's CEO recommends:
For other tidbits like this, see Leadership. |
The Executive's Book Club from Business Week
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