Text Size: A | A | A
Print

The Science Behind Positive Leadership

6 Comments | Add Yours
By Exceptional Veterinary Team
August 31, 2009

Over the past decade, scientists have explored the impact of positive-to-negative interaction ratios in our work and personal life. They've found that this ratio can predict, with remarkable accuracy, everything from workplace performance to divorce.

This work began with noted psychologist John Gottman's exploration of positive-to-negative ratios (PNR) in marriages. Using a 5:1 ratio, which Gottman dubbed "the magic ratio," he and his colleagues predicted whether 700 newlywed couples would stay together or divorce by scoring their positive and negative interactions in just one 15-minute conversation between each husband and wife. 10 years later, the follow-up revealed that they had predicted divorce with 94% accuracy!

A recent study found that work teams with a PNR greater than 3:1 were significantly more productive than workgroups that did not reach this ratio. Individuals on the productive work teams displayed more positive attitudes, had greater job satisfaction, and demonstrated a higher degree of engagement.

So how can you be a positive leader? How does this translate to the veterinary team?

Positive leaders are always trying to catch excellence in action. When they spot a job well done, they call attention to what is right. This in turn raises the entire clinic’s PNR and its productivity. Instead of being concerned with what they can get out of their employees, positive leaders search for opportunities to invest in everyone who works for them. They view each interaction with another person as an opportunity to increase his or her positive emotions, which is one of the defining components of servant leadership.

"People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing. That's why I recommend both daily."–Zig Ziglar

6 comments so far...

Servant Leadership

I don't think the author intended the word "servant" to be in reference to the employee but rather in reference to the team leader. Leadership can be thought of as the leader learning what he/she can do to serve the team and improve everyone's performance and productivity. So, the leader is the servant of her/his team, not vice versa. This is a really interesting concept and not one that is commonly used in veterinary practices. Robert Greenleaf has written a book called Servant Leadership which is very trendy in leadership circles these days. I hope this helps to clear up the confusion around the word "servant" in this excellent short article.
Sun, 09/20/2009 - 17:01 — Guest (not verified)

Diversity . . .

I continue to love the way that you express the essence of servant leadership, and exemplify it in the way you lead your practice team. I think it is easy for us to talk about "diversity" and how it should make us "strong". As leaders, it is much more difficult to truly embrace it and bring it to life in our practice. The enactment requires energy and continual attention paid. As veterinary scientists, we are good at categorizing in order to make sense of the world. This can lead to dangerous stereotyping and prejudice, especially during times of stress. I look for ways to create a paradigm shift, in baby steps. Again, it all begins with self awareness. No short cuts.
Sat, 09/12/2009 - 22:46 — Debbie Barton, DVM (not verified)

Positive Leadership

These ratios make perfect sense to me. Veterinarians are good at critiquing numerical data, whether the numbers relate to financial benchmarks, measurements of patient vital signs, or blood test values. Positive to negative interaction ratios, expressed as research data, would be no exception. The challenge for us as scientists, however, is in the behavior changes necessary to apply this data in our practices in order to create quantum positive change. Doing things differently is the only way to create change. It all begins in the awareness of self.
Sat, 09/12/2009 - 22:38 — Debbie Barton, DVM (not verified)

Well said Kristin. The

Well said Kristin. The servant leader recognizes that everyone on her team or in her organization is equally invested in its success. And in that recognition lay the fundaments of success: empowerment, respect, and trust. The servant leader appreciates the diversity of her team and the unique role and contributions of each team member. Aubrey
Thu, 09/03/2009 - 18:12 — Aubrey Lavizzo (not verified)

servant leadership

Bev, I think that you misunderstood the term "servant leadership". It doesn't refer to a servant/master relationship. Servant leadership is "a philosophy and practice of leadership in which leaders achieve results for their organizations by giving priority attention to the needs of their colleagues and those they serve. Servant-leaders are often seen as humble stewards of their organization's resources (human, financial and physical)." (wikipedia) Basically, it's the concept of leading by serving others. Anyway, that's how I interpret the article's use of the term. Thanks, Kristin
Thu, 09/03/2009 - 14:51 — Guest (not verified)

Questionable word choice

Overall, a straightforward overview of the powers of positive interactions. I have no qualms with the general intent and approach of this article. I appreciate the effort to increase employer/manager sensitivity to the power of positive reinforcement and how this will trickle down into increased satisfaction, engagement and quite possibly productivity. I did experience some hackles being raised with regards to the wording of the last sentence which one could certainly view as classist... in reference to positive leaders: "They view each interaction with another person as an opportunity to increase his or her positive emotions, which is one of the defining components of servant leadership." I should think a positive leader/employer/manager would look at his or her employees as important parts of a whole; respected members of a team that is vested economically and professionally in the success of the clinic. This is something very different than a servant-master/boss relationship! I would not want an employer that was attempting to keep me a happy little servant but rather one who treated me as an appreciated part of the team. Thanks, Bev
Thu, 09/03/2009 - 11:36 — Bev B (not verified)

Add your comments...

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
CAPTCHA
This question verifies that you are a real human, and not a spam-loving robot.
1 + 3 =
Solve this simple math problem and enter the result. E.g. for 1+3, enter 4.