Happy Friday everyone!!
Have you ever noticed when recognition is given to the outcome rather than the process? Only recognizing outcomes creates an environment where being the best is what is most important. In this type of environment, inhabitants will only look out for themselves. They position themselves for personal recognition at the expense of others. They will hope others falter and fumble to make themselves look better. This type of environment creates jealousy, destroys collaboration, and lowers overall achievement. People who are recognized as being the best in these environments are typically the best of the worst. Now, when recognition is given to the process AND the outcome, it creates an environment where effort, commitment, and collaborative competition are most important. In this type of environment, inhabitants compete with each other to make each other better. They still strive to be the best, however, rather than hoping others around them falter and fumble, they hope others around them continue to improve and push them to work even harder. This type of environment creates trust, collaborative competitiveness, and raises achievement. By recognizing the process and the outcome, we can collectively create this environment. Many times, people will want the recognition without a true understanding of the process to earn it. 99% of the time and effort should be put into the process so the recognition can be enjoyed for 1% of the time. There are some simple self-reflective questions that a person can ask themselves to determine if they are focused on the outcome only or the process and the outcome: If you are sitting on the bench, do you hope a teammate makes too many mistakes so you get an opportunity to play or do you hope they have great success because you know you are a part of their success? When an award is earned, am I happy for that person or do I think of reasons why they don't deserve it? When I am sitting at third string, do I practice harder or do I put forth minimal effort? If I am first string, do I expect second and third strings to accept it and take it easy on me in practice or do I expect them to challenge me? Answers to these self reflective questions will determine what type of environment is being created. The best part - if we are not satisfied with the environment, we have the power to change it. The process AND the outcome are part of our commitment to excellence!
Happy Friday!!