TARP: A Classic Study in Poor Contingency Management by the Government

Last week Neil Borofsky, Special Inspector General of the Troubled Relief Asset Program, said   that a number of the bail-out’s key goals “have simply not been met.” The question I have is…

Five Essential Stages of Safety Using a Behavioral Approach

If you’re interested in or responsible for workplace safety I recommend you read this recent two-part post in Safety Daily Advisor identifying the five essential stages of safety using a…

If You Missed Undercover Boss, Watch the Re-Run

After an intense Super Bowl game does not seem like a prime spot in the TV schedule to premiere a new show, but according to ratings, Undercover Boss proved to be one of the most watched post-…

Our Fascination With Sociopathic Bosses

I invite you to read my blog in the Guest Insights section of the Washington Post online. Related Posts: OOPS! The Biggest Mistakes Made By TV's Top Bosses

Pitfalls of Performance Appraisal

No activity in corporate life is more universally despised, by both managers and employees, than performance appraisal. Richard Warner and I discuss the pitfalls and what to do instead. 

Still Driving

My recent post DRiVE Me Crazy!, sparked a dialogue in the blogosphere and in particular, blogger Lisa (www.managementcraft.com) and I continued to trade thoughts. Here is her last…

How The Mighty Fall

With 1:55 left in the game and with the Minnesota Vikings leading the Dallas Cowboys 27 to 3, the Cowboys had no real chance of winning. Surprisingly to many, Viking’s quarterback Brett Favre…

"DRiVE" Me Crazy!

In his new book, Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, Dan Pink says that a new motivational operating system, what he calls Motivation 3.0, is needed for today’s business because what…

The “Underwear Bomber” Incident – My Two Cents

Almost everyone has written or talked ad nauseum about Abdul, etc. so I might as well weigh in.  I am reminded of one of our customers in the carpet hauling business where they would put carpet…

Hope Springs Eternal

I have quoted the poet, Alexander Pope, a lot lately, but he wrote so many good things.  He wrote, “Hope springs eternal in the human breast; …” As I think back about all the problems in our…

The Folly of Early Commitment in Washington

As one who studies behavior for a living, I couldn’t help analyzing last week’s “horse-trading” in the Senate around the health care reform bill.  Do the leaders in Congress ever concern…

The Reason Some Athletes Think They Are Above the Law is Because They Are!

My opinion of Falcon’s head coach, Mike Smith, dropped several notches week before last because of his action in the Babineaux case.  For those who don’t follow the Falcons NFL football team,…

"Up In The Air"

With all the buzz surrounding the new movie “Up in the Air” I’ve put it on my must see movie list for the Holidays. I’m particularly interested because in today’s business environment, these…

Great Example of Natural Reinforcement In Action

The Fun Theory is a clever marketing campaign from Volkswagen that has caught the attention of behavior analysts because it shows how to change behavior (in this example increase exercise) by…

Missed Tackles + Missed Blocks = Tebow Tears: The Danger of Being #1

I confess to being a Gator fan. Darnell Lattal, President and CEO of ADI, is an Alabama graduate and fan. I don’t know what to call her, a Tide? I sure won’t call her an elephant. Alabama uniforms…

Did McChrystal Get What he Wanted? I Think So!

 When I was in the Army there was a saying about budgets, “Ask for three, expect two and get one.” I was reminded of this when watching President Obama’s speech at West Point last night. When…

Fun With Positive Reinforcement

ADI - Aubrey Daniels International, Fun with positive reinforcement. Contact an ADI consultant today.

What Can We Do To Motivate Our Employees?

What can we do to motivate our employees?" This is a question I get a lot as a consultant. Managers want to know how to motivate people. How should we respond to this question?  "Thank you."…