Management Tip of the Day: Praise as Much as You Criticize

Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   AUTHORS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile JUNE 23, 2011 Praise as Much as You Criticize Human performance is inconsistent—even world-class athletes have off days. Yet, most managers focus on their employees' shortcomings when coaching and providing feedback. Sure we all have "opportunities for improvement," but research shows that identifying and building strengths produces better results than focusing on faults. Next time you're evaluating someone, remember that your goal is to raise their average performance, not critique a particularly good or bad day. Don't hold back the praise because of a few missteps. It's just as important to recognize and reinforce strengths as it is to point out where people fall short. Today's Management Tip was adapted from "Why Does Criticism Seem More Effective than Praise?" by Linda Hill and Kent Lineback. Read the full post and join the discussion » Share Today's Tip: FEATURED PRODUCT Guide to Giving Effective Feedback Harvard Business Review Article Collection Brimming with actionable advice on everything from delivering detailed on-the-spot feedback to determining if your employee is ready for a promotion, this guide will give you the tools and confidence you need to master giving effective feedback. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Tip: PREVIOUS TIPS 3 Tips for Responding to Failure Do What Only You Can Do Know the 6 Steps in Cost/Benefit Analysis You Can Prevent Silo Thinking Use Constraint to Instigate Innovation Prepare Your Speech, but Be Ready to Change It 3 Rules for Making Your Writing Clear Look Beyond the Financials Don't Mix Business with Pleasure Share a Hypothesis Instead of a Directive BEST SELLERS HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials HBR's Must Reads Library Set Guide to Persuasive Presentations Guide to Better Business Writing Guide to Getting the Right Work Done Free HBR Interactive issue Download the iPad app HBR Reads, and get your issue with audio and video interviews and multimedia slideshows. Learn more » UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "Management Tip of the Day" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. OPT OUT If you do not wish to receive any email messages from Harvard Business Review, click here. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2011 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 800-545-7685 (+1-617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)