Can you imagine working in an industry that achieves great success yet receives a disproportionate number of calls of complaint? I bet my electricity works 360 out of 365 days of the year. But when do I call the power company? When things aren’t working. I wonder what it’s like to work at the power company? Are we too much a culture of “no news is good news?”

Do we celebrate success enough in schools…in our colleagues…in our students? Do we spread those positive stories enough and amplify the many victories? Do we mark papers and give feedback that is more mistake and “fix this” oriented or more bright spot and “build on this current strength” oriented? What do we highlight on report cards and progress reports? Do we “pick up the phone” enough when things are working?

My lights are shining, my coffee maker is brewing, and my refrigerator is keeping things cold. I think I’ll go make a call.

CHANGEd: What if…60-60-60 Project Explained

Related Work that I Investigate for Relevance to this Idea:

• Teresa Amabile’s The Progress Principle (TEDxAtlanta Talk)
• Jennifer Fox’s Strengths Movement (and video here)
• The Health Brothers’ Bright Spots
• Carol Dweck’s Growth Mindset (as summarized and linked by Guy Kawasaki)