Positivity

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Improvement Versus Growth. Is It All Semantics?

Are your words diminishing your impact on your team? Let’s explore two employee evaluation conversations side by side, one from an improvement perspective and one from a growth perspective:

Here are some examples of evaluation statements using the word improve:

  • John, I would like you to improve the number of sales calls you make.
  • Tyrese, your ability to get projects done on time needs some improvement.
  • Sue, you need to improve your participation in staff meetings.

Here are some examples of evaluation statements using the word growth:

  • John, I would like you to grow the number of sales calls you make.
  • Tyrese, I want you to grow your time management skills this year and get more projects done on time.
  • Sue, I would love to see your involvement in our staff meetings grow.

How do you think the employees feel after the improvement conversation? Do you hear how the word improvement reflects the idea, “not good enough?” Hearing these kinds of statements can be very demotivating. When we feel not good enough, the mental chatter inside our head increases as does our resistance to change. Our focus is on self-justification and self-defense, rather than taking the action needed to make the situation better.

How do you think the employees feel after the growth conversation? Do you hear how the word growth is empowering, allowing someone to grow from their current abilities and performance, without implying that those abilities and performance are “not good enough?” Growth statements strengthen our inner desire to grow. We feel more positive and encouraged to try new things because we are also allowed to feel good about our past performance. We are more willing to stretch beyond our comfort zone. We are prepared to take action because we believe in ourselves and our abilities.

The words we use to lead do impacts our results. Word choice is more than semantics. Word choice reflects our level of emotional intelligence. By ditching the word improvement and using the word growth, you communicate to your staff that you believe in their ability to do more and be more. That belief turns into action which turns into results.

 

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Are you a Sara or a Joe? How To Get at Least 31% Better Results.

Sara wakes up. As her mind returns to conscious awareness, she rushes to cover her groggy eyes from the bright, beaming sun. A quiet discontent fills her mind as she runs through the anticipated day’s events. Her entire being is filled with dread. She heaves her achy feet over the side of the bed as her hand races to a jolting pain in her back. Her first thought as her feel hit the floor is, “I wish I was still in bed.” She slowly stumbles to the bathroom and grimaces at her puffy face in the mirror.

Joe wakes up. As his mind returns to conscious awareness, he feels a peaceful contentedness. He hears birds singing in the distance and notices the sun is shining. He takes a deep breath and thinks excitedly about the opportunities in front of him today. He stretches his arms high as he swings his legs over the side of the bed, letting out a wild yawn in the process. His first thought as his feet hit the floor is, “today is going to be awesome.” His eager feet move him quickly toward the bathroom and he chuckles at his disheveled hair in the mirror.

As you read the descriptions of Sara and Joe, who do you think will get better results? Science says that Joe is likely to get better results, because his outlook is more positive. When we are positive, our minds work 31% better than when we are in a negative, neutral or stressed state. When thinking from a positive mindset, we are more open to new ideas. We are more able to come up with innovative solutions. We are more consciously present. We see the opportunities in front of us.

When we start our day with a positive mindset, our brain works 31% better, which means we can at least expect to get 31% better results from our efforts. This is because all of our behavior and actions begin as thoughts. If we have a positive mindset, we take positive action.  If we have a negative mindset, we either don’t take action or choose actions that don’t actually support our goals.

Who are you more like, Sara or Joe? If you find yourself starting your day like Sara, what kind of outcomes are you getting? If you don’t like the results from starting your day in a negative mindset, give Joe’s habits a try. Waking and working from a positive mindset could be the key to getting at least 31% better results from your efforts.