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COURAGEOUS MANAGEMENT TODAY FOR SUCCESS TOMORROW

With a career spanning 22+ years in conflict resolution, stakeholder engagement, project management and various law enforcement assignments, Steve presents a unique and insightful look into management.

Reflecting on his learned experiences and with an inclination for thinking outside the box Steve presents a refreshing approach to negotiating and implementing resolutions.

Whether it’s a keynote presentation or workforce development sessions Steve can tailor his presentation to meet your needs.

WHAT IS THE

THE MARSHMALLOW EFFECT?

In the late 1960’s and early 1970’s renowned Psychologist Walter Mischel and his team at Stanford University conducted ‘The Marshmallow Test’. In these tests, a child was offered a choice between one small reward provided immediately (typically a marshmallow or similar treat) or two small rewards if they waited for a short undefined period, approximately 15 minutes, during which the tester left the room and then returned. In follow-up studies conducted over the next 40 years, researchers found the children who were able to delay gratification and wait longer for the preferred rewards tended to have better life outcomes.

A 2012 study at the University of Rochester altered the experiment by dividing children into two groups: one group was given a broken promise before ‘The Marshmallow Test’ was conducted (the unreliable tester group), and the second group had a fulfilled promise before their marshmallow test (the reliable tester group). The study found the reliable tester group waited up to four times longer (12 min) than the unreliable tester group for the second marshmallow to appear.

The first test had shown that the child's belief that the promised delayed rewards would actually be delivered is an important determinant in the choice to delay gratification. The later test shows that the child’s past experiences, such as a broken promise, are a contributing factor in the choice to delay gratification.

Over time our past experiences form as ‘cognitive biases’ - a tendency to acquire and process information by filtering it through one's own likes, dislikes, and experiences – and impact on our ability to think and act objectively.

So, whilst ‘The Marshmallow Test’ is a representation of self control in any one event, ‘The Marshmallow Effect’ is the subsequent and cumulative outcome of exhibiting (or not exhibiting) self-control and cognitive awareness and is measured by your outputs as represented by the sum product of your input/s.

In his most recent role as Station Leader, Mawson Research Station, Antarctica, Steve applied his proven management methods and leadership nous to meet and exceed all directives and targets achieving an overall reduction in total fuel usage by 30% whilst improving the efficiency of the wind turbine/power plant by 30+%. This achievement was 50% above target and had not previously been achieved at any Australian Antarctic or sub-Antarctic station.

Steve credits this amazing effort to his staff as well as his ability to lead, and at times direct them, whilst nurturing and supporting them through the challenges of an Antarctic winter.

Steve’s roles with Victoria Police have included Manager & Coordinator of a Critical Incident Training Venue, Supervisor – Covert Services Unit, Instructor - Operational Safety & Tactical Training Unit, Officer In Charge - One Member Police Station, Manager – Gay & Lesbian Liaison Unit, Youth Resource Officer as well as various front line policing postings in Melbourne’s Western suburbs.

CONTACT ME

I would love to hear from you!

STEVE ROBERTSON

THE MARSHMALLOW

EFFECT

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In the late 1960’s and early 1970’s renowned Psychologist Walter Mischel and his team at Stanford University conducted ‘The Marshmallow Test’. In these tests, a child was offered a choice between one small reward provided immediately (typically a marshmallow or similar treat) or two small rewards if they waited for a short undefined period, approximately 15 minutes, during which the tester left the room and then returned. In follow-up studies conducted over the next 40 years, researchers found the children who were able to delay gratification and wait longer for the preferred rewards tended to have better life outcomes.

A 2012 study at the University of Rochester altered the experiment by dividing children into two groups: one group was given a broken promise before ‘The Marshmallow Test’ was conducted (the unreliable tester group), and the second group had a fulfilled promise before their marshmallow test (the reliable tester group). The study found the reliable tester group waited up to four times longer (12 min) than the unreliable tester group for the second marshmallow to appear.

The first test had shown that the child's belief that the promised delayed rewards would actually be delivered is an important determinant in the choice to delay gratification. The later test shows that the child’s past experiences, such as a broken promise, are a contributing factor in the choice to delay gratification.

Over time our past experiences form as ‘cognitive biases’ - a tendency to acquire and process information by filtering it through one's own likes, dislikes, and experiences – and impact on our ability to think and act objectively.

So, whilst ‘The Marshmallow Test’ is a representation of self control in any one event, ‘The Marshmallow Effect’ is the subsequent and cumulative outcome of exhibiting (or not exhibiting) self-control and cognitive awareness and is measured by your outputs as represented by the sum product of your input/s.

COURAGEOUS MANAGEMENT TODAY FOR SUCCESS TOMORROW

Reflecting on his learned experiences and with an inclination for thinking outside the box Steve presents a refreshing approach to negotiating and implementing resolutions.

Whether it’s a keynote presentation or workforce development sessions Steve can tailor his presentation to meet your needs.

STEVE ROBERTSON PRESENTS

THE

MARSHMALLOW

EFFECT

Steve credits this amazing effort to his staff as well as his ability to lead, and at times direct them, whilst nurturing and supporting them through the challenges of an Antarctic winter.

In the late 1960’s and early 1970’s renowned Psychologist Walter Mischel and his team at Stanford University conducted ‘The Marshmallow Test’. In these tests, a child was offered a choice between one small reward provided immediately (typically a marshmallow or similar treat) or two small rewards if they waited for a short undefined period, approximately 15 minutes, during which the tester left the room and then returned. In follow-up studies conducted over the next 40 years, researchers found the children who were able to delay gratification and wait longer for the preferred rewards tended to have better life outcomes.

A 2012 study at the University of Rochester altered the experiment by dividing children into two groups: one group was given a broken promise before ‘The Marshmallow Test’ was conducted (the unreliable tester group), and the second group had a fulfilled promise before their marshmallow test (the reliable tester group). The study found the reliable tester group waited up to four times longer (12 min) than the unreliable tester group for the second marshmallow to appear.

The first test had shown that the child's belief that the promised delayed rewards would actually be delivered is an important determinant in the choice to delay gratification. The later test shows that the child’s past experiences, such as a broken promise, are a contributing factor in the choice to delay gratification.

Over time our past experiences form as ‘cognitive biases’ - a tendency to acquire and process information by filtering it through one's own likes, dislikes, and experiences – and impact on our ability to think and act objectively.

So, whilst ‘The Marshmallow Test’ is a representation of self control in any one event, ‘The Marshmallow Effect’ is the subsequent and cumulative outcome of exhibiting (or not exhibiting) self-control and cognitive awareness and is measured by your outputs as represented by the sum product of your input/s.