Recently, as we’ve been about the process of completing our upcoming book, Rebooting Leadership, several leaders have mentioned to me various things they are doing within their organizations to update their leadership habits in response to new “conditions on the ground” as politicians like to say. Some of them make perfect sense, like amping up recognition efforts and giving front line leaders more discretionary authority to solve employee and customer problems.

That said, as we go about the process of adjusting to the new normal, we would do well to remember that there are some “iron laws” relating to the human psyche, and in turn, a person’s willingness to trust, engage, and commit precious discretionary effort. One of those laws has to do with climbing on someone’s bumper (calling them out or reprimanding them) in public. You just don’t do that if you want to retain a person’s respect or commitment… ever.

I was reminded of that this morning after reading an analysis of the 2010 Super Bowl by Indianapolis Colts President, Bill Polian on the team’s website. Speaking of his team’s loss, Mr. Polian said, “Our offensive line, by our standards, did not have a good game. They were outplayed by the Saints’ defensive line. Our special teams, in terms of handing the ball – both in the return game and on the onside kick – were outplayed by the Saints. Therein lies the result. It had nothing to do with strategy or preparedness or toughness or effort.”

In fairness, Mr. Polian did single out a few players for praise, his diagnosis of the cause of their loss seems correct, and his remarks weren’t especially harsh. Yet, it’s one thing to do a no holds barred after-action review in the team’s locker room, but something entirely different to do it in public. There is absolutely nothing to be gained by inviting an audience for that type of discussion.

So, as we go about the process of adjusting to an uptight, always-on world where everything seems destined for public consumption in one venue or another, let’s take care to respect the precept that what happens in the locker room stays in the locker room.

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A thought leader in the arena of leadership and employee engagement, Bill Catlette is a seminar leader, keynote speaker, and executive coach. He helps individuals and organizations improve business outcomes by having a focused, engaged, capably led workforce. For more information about Bill, his partner Richard Hadden, and their work, please visit their website at www.contentedcows.com, or follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ContentedCows