What job could be more important than being a parent? I’m terrified about not being good at it. While mentoring students and residents might have a lot of similarities to parenting, the fear of not doing a really good job of it doesn’t hit one in the gut the way worries about parenting a child do. But what I’ve learned from being a parent certainly can be applied at work to help me be a better leader.
The Value of Positive Reinforcement
My 8-year-old son hasn’t reached the age (that my 12-year-old has) where he doesn’t want to be seen close to me. This child has a poor attention span, and difficulty focusing (where does he get that from?). Team sports — basketball, soccer, baseball — just weren’t for him. He has trouble focusing in class, and it’s much worse when he’s left alone out in right field.
Martial arts were recommended as a way for him to gain both exercise and discipline. And we found a terrific school — very energetic, very upbeat. And he likes it, too! The instructors are great. They are always smiling, and always patting the kids on the back for every little thing they do right. Let me repeat that for emphasis. They give the kids positive reinforcement for every little thing they do right.
I wish my parenting skills were that consistent. All too often (and always noticing what I’ve done after the fact), I find myself looking at the negatives and trying to correct them. I guess this is a natural response, but I can see how regularly it frustrates my son. The positive reinforcement seems to be a much better way to keep him motivated, focused and improving.
Using Praise at Work
So how can I use this lesson I’ve learned about the value of positive reinforcement to better my work?
Living on the edge of academics can cause others a lot of angst. Specializing in doing studies that show the value of dermatologists (often at the expense of primary care doctors or surgeons) can make the Dean of the Medical School perturbed, to say the least!
I’ve realized that it helps to make it up to the Dean every now and then by simply sending a thank you note for the good work the Dean, or any of his co-workers or minions, does.
You see, the Dean hears complaints every day. People are always calling and writing with their problems for the Dean to solve. So when the Dean does get a call or letter saying someone is doing something great, it really stands out. It makes the Dean happy, it certainly makes the person being praised happy, and it puts the praiser in an extremely good light.
We hear it all the time — people respond well to positive reinforcement. It seems true to me at home and at work. Whenever you can, stay on the optimistic side, and look for the positive things around you. Look for the opportunities to provide praise. It’s a great way to live.
What job could be more important than being a parent? I’m terrified about not being good at it. While mentoring students and residents might have a lot of similarities to parenting, the fear of not doing a really good job of it doesn’t hit one in the gut the way worries about parenting a child do. But what I’ve learned from being a parent certainly can be applied at work to help me be a better leader.
The Value of Positive Reinforcement
My 8-year-old son hasn’t reached the age (that my 12-year-old has) where he doesn’t want to be seen close to me. This child has a poor attention span, and difficulty focusing (where does he get that from?). Team sports — basketball, soccer, baseball — just weren’t for him. He has trouble focusing in class, and it’s much worse when he’s left alone out in right field.
Martial arts were recommended as a way for him to gain both exercise and discipline. And we found a terrific school — very energetic, very upbeat. And he likes it, too! The instructors are great. They are always smiling, and always patting the kids on the back for every little thing they do right. Let me repeat that for emphasis. They give the kids positive reinforcement for every little thing they do right.
I wish my parenting skills were that consistent. All too often (and always noticing what I’ve done after the fact), I find myself looking at the negatives and trying to correct them. I guess this is a natural response, but I can see how regularly it frustrates my son. The positive reinforcement seems to be a much better way to keep him motivated, focused and improving.
Using Praise at Work
So how can I use this lesson I’ve learned about the value of positive reinforcement to better my work?
Living on the edge of academics can cause others a lot of angst. Specializing in doing studies that show the value of dermatologists (often at the expense of primary care doctors or surgeons) can make the Dean of the Medical School perturbed, to say the least!
I’ve realized that it helps to make it up to the Dean every now and then by simply sending a thank you note for the good work the Dean, or any of his co-workers or minions, does.
You see, the Dean hears complaints every day. People are always calling and writing with their problems for the Dean to solve. So when the Dean does get a call or letter saying someone is doing something great, it really stands out. It makes the Dean happy, it certainly makes the person being praised happy, and it puts the praiser in an extremely good light.
We hear it all the time — people respond well to positive reinforcement. It seems true to me at home and at work. Whenever you can, stay on the optimistic side, and look for the positive things around you. Look for the opportunities to provide praise. It’s a great way to live.
What job could be more important than being a parent? I’m terrified about not being good at it. While mentoring students and residents might have a lot of similarities to parenting, the fear of not doing a really good job of it doesn’t hit one in the gut the way worries about parenting a child do. But what I’ve learned from being a parent certainly can be applied at work to help me be a better leader.
The Value of Positive Reinforcement
My 8-year-old son hasn’t reached the age (that my 12-year-old has) where he doesn’t want to be seen close to me. This child has a poor attention span, and difficulty focusing (where does he get that from?). Team sports — basketball, soccer, baseball — just weren’t for him. He has trouble focusing in class, and it’s much worse when he’s left alone out in right field.
Martial arts were recommended as a way for him to gain both exercise and discipline. And we found a terrific school — very energetic, very upbeat. And he likes it, too! The instructors are great. They are always smiling, and always patting the kids on the back for every little thing they do right. Let me repeat that for emphasis. They give the kids positive reinforcement for every little thing they do right.
I wish my parenting skills were that consistent. All too often (and always noticing what I’ve done after the fact), I find myself looking at the negatives and trying to correct them. I guess this is a natural response, but I can see how regularly it frustrates my son. The positive reinforcement seems to be a much better way to keep him motivated, focused and improving.
Using Praise at Work
So how can I use this lesson I’ve learned about the value of positive reinforcement to better my work?
Living on the edge of academics can cause others a lot of angst. Specializing in doing studies that show the value of dermatologists (often at the expense of primary care doctors or surgeons) can make the Dean of the Medical School perturbed, to say the least!
I’ve realized that it helps to make it up to the Dean every now and then by simply sending a thank you note for the good work the Dean, or any of his co-workers or minions, does.
You see, the Dean hears complaints every day. People are always calling and writing with their problems for the Dean to solve. So when the Dean does get a call or letter saying someone is doing something great, it really stands out. It makes the Dean happy, it certainly makes the person being praised happy, and it puts the praiser in an extremely good light.
We hear it all the time — people respond well to positive reinforcement. It seems true to me at home and at work. Whenever you can, stay on the optimistic side, and look for the positive things around you. Look for the opportunities to provide praise. It’s a great way to live.
