A comment is like a litmus paper in a metaphorical sense. There are bound to be positive or negative reactions once it is added to a conversation. The reaction also leaves a lasting impression on the given individuals pschye. Quite often people don’t realize the veracity and the consequences of these comments that often encourage or discourage the listener.

Taking a leave from the old saying about ‘weighing one’s words before speaking out’ the co-authors Don Clifton and Tom Rath have hit upon a great book entitled How full is your bucket. The grandfather-grandson duo explores how using positive psychology in everyday interactions can dramatically change ones lives. Clifton the grandfather of Positive Psychology and co-author of Now, Discover Your Strengths has deeply grounded this book after 50 years of research work and has come up with the theory that all humans have an ‘invisible bucket within, that needs to be filled with positive experiences, such as recognition or praise. Negativity towards people makes us use a dipper to reduce from their buckets and diminish their positive outlook. He further says when we treat other people in a positive manner; we not only fill their buckets but ours as well.

While acknowledging the misfortune of the people, the authors also makes clear how misfortune affecting individuals depends largely on their level of positive energy and confidence. Taking examples from various areas of business and management, marriage and other personal relationships and in parenting through studies covering a 40-year span from the association with the Gallup Poll the authors illustrate how this principle works. On the business front an analysis of 10,000 businesses units and 30 industries found that people who received regular praises:

1. Increased their individual productivity

2. Increased engagement among their colleagues

3. Are likely to stay with their organization

4. Receive higher loyalty and satisfaction scores from customers

5. Have better safety records and fewer accidents on the job

The book claims that greater recognition and praise can immediately transform a work place and even a single person can infuse positive emotions into an entire group by filling buckets frequently. The particular theory is supported by an example of a CEO who used bucket filling is elucidated. Instead of spying on his employees, the CEO visited various branches of his company to praise his employees and found that his few brief conversations energized his entire work place. Many more instances are taken from the daily lives of a single working mother, a management consultant and their positive and negative experiences of emptying and filling the bucket. The book also advises the reader on how regocognition should be given. It says that things can go terribly wrong if one keeps using a standard method. Instead it asks the reader to delve into the person’s likes and dislikes before one decides to eulogize. It also asks us to constantly individualize praise with every different individual since recognition is most appreciated and effective when it is individualized, specific and deserved!

Another important aspect of this book is the ‘Gallup’ poll studies that the authors use to demonstrate the working of their theory. In one of the particular studies a survey was taken from six different countries of parents who focused on their child’s best or worst grades. The study found that the vast majority focused on their F grades.

The book then lists some strategies for filling buckets. They are as follows:

1. Prevent bucket dipping - ask yourself whether you are adding to or taking from another bucket.

2. Shine a light on what is right - don’t focus on the negative; spend time, energy and attention on what is right.

3. Make best friends - great relationships lead to increased satisfaction.

4. Give unexpectedly - the gifts can be material, trust or respect, but giving unexpectedly increases their bucket filling power.

5. Reverse the Golden rule - “Do unto others as they would have you do unto them”.

The book also offers several ingenious ways of assessing an individual via a bucket-filling interview that would help the first timer bucket filler to get started. Another technique that the books ask readers to adopt a ‘drop system’ where one writes personalized recognitions on paper shaped as a water drop.

The book’s contributions do not end at this alone. Readers can visit the website www.bucketbook.com to take the positive impact test, download the interview guide, create and print drops and send email reminders. Along with the book one also avails some extra gifts. The back cover contains a free invitation card with an ID to allow you to use the “Clifton” strength finder – allowing you to discover your strengths. There is also a five strategies wallet card and five useable drops for your bucket.

On the whole the book has a unique way of encouraging positive attitude. Unlike other books, it asks us to be confident in others just as much as ourselves. The positive attitude focus is more group based and team-oriented than individual but it still works out for the individual because the bucket system is reciprocal. Top management and other people who are isolated from the general area of the work place should use this book with great fervor, as a positive outcome in the work place is definite. People wanting to be popular can also use this among their fellow employees, friends and relations to generate good will for themselves. The great thing is that the concept is not one dimensional and limited to physical book alone. The website makes it possible to update the readers with the latest and share strategies and stories thus maintaining the continuous and free flow of positive attitude.

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