Experience

CHARACTER AS A ‘-’ PERFORMANCE CATALYST ‘EXPERIENCE’ AS A CATALYST FOR NEGATIVE PERFORMANCE A negative experience can sometimes act as a catalyst that undermines performance rather than improving it. When someone encounters a discouraging situation—such as harsh criticism, public failure, conflict with a manager, or being overlooked for an opportunity—it can affect how they view themselves and their work. Confidence may drop, motivation can decline, and the person may become more cautious or withdrawn. Instead of taking initiative, they may begin avoiding risks to prevent further negative outcomes. They might second-guess decisions, contribute less in discussions, or disengage from tasks they previously enjoyed. This can create a cycle where reduced confidence leads to lower performance, which then reinforces the negative impact of the original experience. In organisations, these experiences can also weaken trust. If individuals feel their efforts are not recognised or that mistakes will be punished harshly, they may stop fully investing themselves in their work. In these situations, the issue is often not capability, but a shift in mindset that limits how effectively that capability is applied. Questions to assess whether a negative experience is affecting performance: 1. Has the individual experienced a specific event that changed how confident or motivated they feel about their work? 2. Has their behaviour changed since the experience (for example, becoming more cautious, withdrawn, or less engaged)? 3. Do they refer back to the negative experience when explaining current challenges or hesitation in their role? E X P E R I E N C E ‘ - ’ Better The Deck AS A ‘DRIVER’ FOR NEGATIVE PERFORMANCE