Motivating and inspiring employees to perform through excessive toughness, which some call “Macho Management” doesn’t cut it. To foster people’s best performance you must reach each person on an “emotional and relational” level through affirmation which reinforces someone’s sense of self. Speaking words of encouragement and praise has a last impact on people, although “the corporate world has not well integrated the benefits of affirmation,” which can be transformational. By providing what is called alliance feedback you will activate parts of people’s brains that are linked to serenity and openness. You also increase the emission of hormones like oxytocin and vasopressin that promote trust and receptivity to new ideas and situations.
