Why you need to be practicing positive reinforcement. No, really, it’s worth it.  

“Positive reinforcement is the most powerful leadership tool.” — Aubrey Daniels

No one would argue about the validity of the above statement. But how do you go about administering positive reinforcement in the workplace effectively? 

But before we go into the how, let’s talk about the why? Why does positive reinforcement matter in the workplace? 

According to an article from Gettysburg College, the average person will spend 90,000 hours working over a lifetime. Given this ginormous investment of time, our workplace must be pleasant with opportunities for growth and flexibility for work-life balance. A pleasant workplace will prevent employee burnout and, consequently, employee turnover. It is beneficial to both the employee and the employer. Positive reinforcement is part of the formula for creating a pleasant workplace and should be a common practice in the workplace. Positive reinforcement can be divided into two categories: 

1. Monetary reward – the most powerful positive reinforcement is money. This can be in the form of bonuses, competitive pay, benefits, PTO, etc.
2. Emotional reward – this type of reward is more individualized. You need to know what is important to your employees and what are the things that motivate their loyalty to your company. Some examples of this type of reward can be:
   • Flexibility for working remotely.
   • Flexible working hours.
   • Onsite gym.
   • Praise and acknowledgment for a job well done.
   • Desirable office space and work equipment.

Now that we’ve learned the benefits and the different types of positive reinforcement let’s talk about how to administer positive reinforcement effectively. Here are four tips to help you navigate the game of positive reinforcement: 

1. Use individualized reinforcement – discover what motivates and excites your employees. The proper reinforcement creates a more significant impact.
2. Apply reinforcement promptly – the reward is more meaningful if it is given immediately following the desired behavior.
3. Apply reinforcement consistently – do not make positive reinforcement a ‘one-off’ event. Consistent positive reinforcement will create consistency in the desired behavior.
4. Be specific about the behavior you are reinforcing – make sure the employee understands what behavior is being rewarded for the reward to have an impact.

Do not assume your employees know they are appreciated. As the employer or leader in the workplace, it is part of your leadership responsibilities to use positive reinforcement to create a winning work culture and a pleasant work environment. Ready to get started? Call CLS for a positive reinforcement plan that will motivate your team to the next level.