Whale Done!
by Ken Blanchard, Thad Lacinak, Chuck Tompkins and Jim Ballard
Lessons from killer-whale trainers at SeaWorld on positive reinforcement: build trust, accentuate the positive, redirect energy when mistakes happen rather than punishing. Set aside your views on marine parks; the behavioral principle is well established and the book applies it to work and home.
Read it if…
you tend to notice what people do wrong and want to shift.
Skip it if…
you want a rigorous treatment of reinforcement; see Pryor's Don't Shoot the Dog.
Three things you will actually use
- Catch people doing things right.
- Redirect rather than punish.
- Trust is the base of all training.
Do this first
Catch three people doing something right today and say so specifically.
Our verdict
Simple principle, memorable frame.
Compare with other Leadership books
What Got You Here Won't Get You There
Marshall Goldsmith · Leadership
A leadership classic; specific, uncomfortable and useful.
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