What Does it Take to Bring About Change?

• Mass Shame and Affect VS Positive Reinforcement by RoseMary Brinkman MSW, 12/8/98
  • Positive reinforcement versus ticket sales by Don Nathanson, 12/13/98
    
    

Perhaps I am too cynical about professional sports. However, as a professional change agent, one of the most important beliefs I hold is the client (individual or organization) will only change when they clearly see the change is better than the alternatives. While it may be very clear to other professional change agents that shaming does not improve performance, unfortuntately I wholly believe that improving performance is exactly what fans, coaches, and management are hoping to do with these tactics. If they could see a better way, they would use it. In the meantime the problems involved in professional sports are much beyond my capacity to deal with. Many other areas in our society use similar tactics for similarly misguided purposes. Many people actually seem to believe the stick is more effective than the carrot (or however that goes). There are so many gardens that need tending and so little time.

• Mirror, Mirror on the Wall by Doug W., 12/15/98
  • Well, maybe there is a different way by Don Nathanson, 12/15/98
    • Gratitude by Patricia A. Doherty, 12/16/98