Positive Feedback

While researching the topic of feedback for a leadership seminar I was developing a couple of years ago, I came upon the following study.

Dr. Daniel Kirschenbaum, a sports psychologist at the University of Wisconsin, videotaped groups of bowlers. He then edited the tapes, creating two different versions. In one version, he deleted any examples of poor bowling performance, leaving only images of proper bowling techniques. In the second version of the tape, he deleted any examples of good performance, leaving only images of poor bowling style.

He then used the tapes to give lessons to the same groups of bowlers.

Some groups viewed the edited tape showing only examples of proper bowling techniques. The lessons emphasized repeating what had worked for them. Other groups viewed an edited tape, seeing only examples of poor bowling. Their lessons focused on not repeating prior mistakes.

Those bowlers who viewed examples of proper bowling techniques showed as much as 100% improvement in bowling scores, far more than the other group.

Key learning: We learn better, and are able to improve task performance, when we focus on our successes rather than our mistakes -- which oftentimes can be seen as “at odds” with traditional management techniques found in corporate America where managers see themselves as problem-solvers whose job is to fix what's broken.

This has never been so apparent to me as it has been over the past few weeks as I watched both sons playing Little League. At an age where most kids are just attempting the sport for the first time, it was shocking at times to hear the coaches (thankfully from the opposing teams) yelling at and berating the kids.

Son #1's coach was, in direct contrast, a saint. He made the game so much fun for all of his players and complimented them continually -- even after failed plays. "Nice try." "Great throw; next time aim just a little higher!"

As a result, this group of first and second graders was literally on fire toward the end of the season making double and triple plays and slamming balls to the outfield. Many of the rival teams could barely compete at that level.

Last night, after the last game of the season, the coach bought ice cream for all of the players. And instead of simply handing out their trophies, he made a point of recapping the best plays of the season for each. Their faces were beaming. I was impressed and felt blessed that my son was a part of his team.

(Source: Jay R. Tombaugh, “Positive leadership yields performance and profitability,” Development and Learning in Organizations: Volume 19 Number 3 2005, pp. 15-17)