The Magic Ratio

04/19/2005

"One cannot have too large a party." - Jane Austen

The Magic Ratio

Normally I am not a big fan of pop psychology advice books, but once in a while I find one that intriques me. Such is the case with How Full is Your Bucket? Positive Strategies for Work and Life by Tom Rath and Donald O. Clifton (New York: Gallup Press, 2004). Here is an interesting excerpt....

"Positive Psychology experts are finding that the frequency of small, positive acts is critical. John Gottman's pioneering work on marriages suggests there is a 'magic ratio' of 5 to 1 -- in terms of our balance of positive to negative interactions. Gottman found that marriages are significantly more likely to succeed when the couples interactions are near that 5 to 1 ratio of positive to negative. When the ratio approaches 1 to 1, marriages 'cascade to divorce.'

"...This ratio is critical in the workplace as well. A recent study found that workgroups with positive to negative interaction ratios greater than 3 to 1 are significantly more productive than teams that do not reach this ratio."

Over the next three weeks I will be intermittently be offering ideas from new books from a variety of fields. I invite readers to share ideas from books they have discovered as well. Send in your suggestions and provide:

* Title of book or magazine article
* Author (s)
* Publisher
* Publication date
* Excerpt from the publication

Please send your ideas to [email protected]
Thank you.

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