If you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree…

If your manager:

  1. ignores you — your chances of being actively disengaged are 40%
  2. focuses on your weaknesses — your chances of being actively disengaged are 22%
  3. focuses on your strengths — your chances of being actively disengaged are only 1%.

Post Source: Steve Roesler, All Things Workplace: “Strengths, Weaknesses, and Engagement” cites Gallup Management Findings

Image Source: Brad Nash

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22 thoughts on “If you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree…

  1. I used that quote in a presentation about performance management two weeks ago – it was really well received. As it is this morning on your post!

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  2. I believe it! Many times if you point our the strengths of an individual they will rise to the occasion. I also love the Einstein quote. Truth is- comparing yourself to others, is not a true comparision. We all have strengths in different areas. For example, If I compared myself to someone that can really sing, I would come out feeling like that fish in your illustration above. Instead, I have decided that American Idol is not where I belong and that is okay. Now it is only my children who are subjected to my singing 🙂 Thanks for sharing, David. Managers do need to focus on the strengths of their employees.

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  3. Loved the quote, I think I will use it in a managers workshop I am doing next month. I also will make sure that I focus on my staffs strengths more often. Thanks for the inspiring post this morning!

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  4. The problem of comparing something against a measure that has no relationship to what is being measured always is going to end with a crap output.

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