When working with teams learning to generate ideas more effectively, we regularly coach participants to defer judgment, both negative and positive. Why would you avoid positive judgment? Because then the lack of positive judgment becomes negative judgment. If I tell everyone in the group -- except, say, Bob -- that they're doing a great job, then how will Bob feel? (Hint: not good!)
This simple illustration is informative when it comes to rewards and recognition programs that focus on finding a limited number of "winners," implying that everyone else is a "loser." (For kinesthetic learners: make an "L" with the thumb and forefinger of your right hand and hold it up to your forehead).
Scott Adams's Dilbert beautifully and irreverently illustrates the point very nicely below or at: http://bit.ly/ra373I
(click on cartoon to see third panel...
...and thanks to former N&Ier David Ockey for sharing this!)
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