"PRAISE LOUDLY, BLAME SOFTLY" - Catherine the Great

In a Leadership position, the pressure to perform is ceaseless. Hitting your numbers. Achieving your goals. Meeting your metrics. That's what's expected quarter after quarter. But, why is the race getting more intense? Why does each day seem like a perpetual revved-up Indianapolis 500? And, why is it that the pressure you are getting from above, that you send below and place within, seems to be getting "louder, longer, meaner"? That's what Aubrey Daniels, in his performance management bible Bringing Out the Best in People, contends. We're all hearing and sending the same messages:

Work harder.
Work faster.
Work smarter.
Be more creative.
Take more initiative.

And, if we don't get the desired results, we tell the same people again, usually the same thing. This time a little louder, or longer, or perhaps a little meaner.

Is this sounding vaguely familiar? If so, it's probably the right time for a quickie refresher on the ONE unbelievably simple thing you can do as a leader to keep your peoples' momentum and engagement soaring and ease the strain of relentless pressure.

PRAISE