E. Scott Geller, Ph.D., Alumni Distinguished Professor and Director, Center for Applied Behavior Systems, Virginia Tech, and senior partner, Safety Performance Solutions (SPS). For information on related books, training manuals, videotapes, audiotapes, and customized consulting call SPS at (540) 951-7233 (SAFE), email: pbs@coastal.com , and visit www.safetyperformance.com. For information on Dr. Geller’s new book on People-Based Safety, as well as five video/DVD/CD programs, accompanied by workbooks and leader guides produced by Coastal Training Technologies, visit www.people-based-safety.com; email: pbs@coastal.com; (888) 201-8740.
In this month’s column I offer critical distinctions between positive reinforcement, reward, and recognition; and explain the standard BBS instruction for giving recognition can be undesirable.
I am haunted by four recent unfortunate events. One is a catastrophe reported nationwide by the media, another is an incident which is big news in our local newspapers, and the other two misfortunes are not known publicly, but traumatic all the same.
Slow down and live in the moment. This is a worthwhile resolution for the New Year, similar to one I proposed in January 2003 — “Yield the right-of-way.â€