Are your words diminishing your impact on your team? Let’s explore two employee evaluation conversations side by side, one from an improvement perspective and one from a growth perspective:
Here are some examples of evaluation statements using the word improve:
- John, I would like you to improve the number of sales calls you make.
- Tyrese, your ability to get projects done on time needs some improvement.
- Sue, you need to improve your participation in staff meetings.
Here are some examples of evaluation statements using the word growth:
- John, I would like you to grow the number of sales calls you make.
- Tyrese, I want you to grow your time management skills this year and get more projects done on time.
- Sue, I would love to see your involvement in our staff meetings grow.
How do you think the employees feel after the improvement conversation? Do you hear how the word improvement reflects the idea, “not good enough?” Hearing these kinds of statements can be very demotivating. When we feel not good enough, the mental chatter inside our head increases as does our resistance to change. Our focus is on self-justification and self-defense, rather than taking the action needed to make the situation better.
How do you think the employees feel after the growth conversation? Do you hear how the word growth is empowering, allowing someone to grow from their current abilities and performance, without implying that those abilities and performance are “not good enough?” Growth statements strengthen our inner desire to grow. We feel more positive and encouraged to try new things because we are also allowed to feel good about our past performance. We are more willing to stretch beyond our comfort zone. We are prepared to take action because we believe in ourselves and our abilities.
The words we use to lead do impacts our results. Word choice is more than semantics. Word choice reflects our level of emotional intelligence. By ditching the word improvement and using the word growth, you communicate to your staff that you believe in their ability to do more and be more. That belief turns into action which turns into results.