A recent study published in Organization Science shows positivity can help drive worker performance, but timing is important, according to Harvard Business Review.
One part of the study analyzed data from 9,968 consultants at a leading professional services firm during a 20-month period. Researchers examined positive and negative feedback from leaders and employee performance at different times of the year. When leaders expressed a lot of positivity early in the 20-month period, employees performed better during the year compared with leaders who expressed more positivity at the mid-point or the end of year, or leaders who were primarily negative early on.
Another part of the study analyzed data from 245 student-athletes and their 86 coaches on 20 NCAA Division 1 sports teams during a season. Researchers found athletes whose coaches showed highly positive emotions during the preseason performed better than other athletes.
Harvard Business Review offers the following suggestions for leaders to help them consider timing to inspire their teams.
- Take advantage of early opportunities to express genuine positivity. For example, during the early stages of a project, thoughtfully express how much you care about your staff and value their specific contributions.
- The best time for negative feedback might be the midpoint. Although leaders who express constant negativity hurt team members’ performance, the study shows some mid-term negativity—if warranted—might inspire your team. Research finds when employees feel they received tough love, it increases their perceptions of their ability to grow.
