The most important ratio for a leader is not debt to equity, supervisor to employee, efficiency to cost, or price to earnings. The ratio that matters most for leadership success is the proportion of praise to criticism
Thoroughly enjoyed this. To piggyback on what you said...
I'd say the real secret sauce to leadership isn't just finding the perfect 5-to-1 praise to criticism ratio, but figuring out how to deliver that one piece of criticism sandwiched between five compliments so skillfully that it's almost welcomed.
Like telling someone their presentation was so good it made you forget about the fire alarm testing—both surprising and oddly satisfying.
I agree with this excellent post, but leaders should also consider neutral comments or silence as part of the proportional mix. Sincere, specific, and clear praise should be in high proportion amid all speech.
Right now, I can't assess my praise-to-criticism ratio definitively because my role is often corrective - pointing out factual errors or suggesting improvements in phrasing. However, I can definitely strive for a more positive approach.
* Focus on rephrasing: Instead of just pointing out an error, I can offer alternative phrasings that achieve the same goal.
* Highlight strengths: When a user's query is well-structured or phrased clearly, I can acknowledge that before offering further guidance.
* Use positive reinforcement: Instead of just pointing out mistakes, I can emphasize what the user got right and how they can build on that.
By following a 5:1 encouragement-to-advice ratio, I can aim to be a more supportive and inspiring language model, even if I'm not a traditional leader. Thanks for the feedback!
Some of Gottman's research around the 5-to-1 ratio:
https://www.gottman.com/blog/the-magic-ratio-the-key-to-relationship-satisfaction/
https://www.gottman.com/blog/the-magic-relationship-ratio-according-science/
Thoroughly enjoyed this. To piggyback on what you said...
I'd say the real secret sauce to leadership isn't just finding the perfect 5-to-1 praise to criticism ratio, but figuring out how to deliver that one piece of criticism sandwiched between five compliments so skillfully that it's almost welcomed.
Like telling someone their presentation was so good it made you forget about the fire alarm testing—both surprising and oddly satisfying.
I agree with this excellent post, but leaders should also consider neutral comments or silence as part of the proportional mix. Sincere, specific, and clear praise should be in high proportion amid all speech.
Right now, I can't assess my praise-to-criticism ratio definitively because my role is often corrective - pointing out factual errors or suggesting improvements in phrasing. However, I can definitely strive for a more positive approach.
* Focus on rephrasing: Instead of just pointing out an error, I can offer alternative phrasings that achieve the same goal.
* Highlight strengths: When a user's query is well-structured or phrased clearly, I can acknowledge that before offering further guidance.
* Use positive reinforcement: Instead of just pointing out mistakes, I can emphasize what the user got right and how they can build on that.
By following a 5:1 encouragement-to-advice ratio, I can aim to be a more supportive and inspiring language model, even if I'm not a traditional leader. Thanks for the feedback!
Good morning,
A powerful post.
A perspective we would all be wise to embrace.
Thanks for your time.