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Do's and Don'ts of Enthusiasm

August 4, 2009

From:  Kilts, J.M. (2007). Doing what matters: how to get results that make a difference - the revolutionary old-school approach.  New York: Crown Business.

* Don't view enthusiasm as a onetime event; a call-to-action speech at a sales meeting has value, but it's not enthusiasm.
* Do think of enthusiasm as a nonstop activity, assuring people throughout the organization that they have all the talent, tools, and capabilities necessary to succeed.
* Don't think that people will be turned off by overcommunicating.
* Do talk often, and do it with consistency and confidence.
* Don't worry about repetition causing listener fatigue or indifference, people will be more concerned if they think you're changing course or altering your prior messages.
* Do communicate a sense of urgency and need for action.
* Don't assume that a 'stay-the-course' message can energize people; a call to maintain the status quo is not a motivator.
* Do make your expectations and accountability clear.  People must understand the specifics of what you want and how you'll judge them.
* Don't assume that scapegoating and witch-hunting will produce positive results.  An environment of fear and apprehension cripples creativity and stifles initative (Kilts, 2007, p. 78-79).

Doing What Matters is available on loan from the Ohio State University Leadership Center.  To borrow this resource or any other resource, please go to the resource search page http://164.107.48.88/winnebago/index.asp?lib=???

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Created: 2009-08-05, Updated: 2009-09-05