When we think about it, real old fashioned praise in the workplace has become very rare, it has nearly disappeared altogether. Or has it never been there in the first place? Or has it become more important nowadays and therefore its absence is felt more keenly?

A survey showed that over 80% of adults (men and women) would consider praise for a job well done as one of the best compliments anybody could give them. It would encourage them to do their best. People seem to crave praise, there is a huge vacuum that needs to be filled.

Why is it so difficult for superiors to give praise? After all, it doesn’t cost anything and it seems that it might be very effective to spur workers on to be more productive.

The idea is not new, apparently Shakespeare wrote something along the lines of:

“Feed us praise like you would feed a young bird, the good deed which is not praised, will nip one thousand others in the bud, which could have grown from it…..”

This should also remind us that children also need lots of praise for right behaviour and good deeds if we want them to stay well behaved. Focus on the positive.

It goes without saying that praise has to be real, not fake, otherwise you may end up in deep trouble.

We will continue the discussion in our next post.

Till then,
Connie and Charly

from

http://www.stretchyourmindandbody.com