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Article: Positive Reinforcement: Misunderstood and Misused
- Article from:
- T + D
- Article date:
- March 1, 2006
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright American Society for Training and Development Mar 2006. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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IN PRACTICE
"BROWNIE, you're doing a heck of a job."
Pundits dubbed it the quote of 2005, but President Bush's phrase turned the spotlight on one of the most misunderstood tools of leadership-positive reinforcement. It also had the effect of reinforcing a whole set of inappropriate behaviors, even though his intention was to show support for former FEMA Director Michael Brown and his department for their response to hurricane Katrina.
Business books have consistently trivialized the concept, making it difficult for executives to take "warm fuzzies" and "atta-boys" seriously when they are responsible for making crucial decisions about the bottom line. But leaders need to truly understand ...