The value of praise
A major Danish newspaper just ran an article on praise, in which 8 or 9 people including consultants, researchers and psychologists were interviewed about their views on appreciation and praise.
The article begins with these words:
As soon as the founder of the Happy At Work Project picks up the phone, you can tell that you’re dealing with a man who wants to be spectacularly happy.
His voice sings out as he introduces himself - as if he only ever expects pleasant surprises when strangers call him on the phone.
And it’s not long either before his first enthusiastic, appreciative “Exactly!” enters the conversation.
That has got to be just about the nicest thing anyone has ever written about me :o)
I’m then quoted as saying that praise:
- Is one of the easiest and most efficient ways of motivating people
- Is wildly contagious
- Takes no time and costs no money
- Doesn’t always have to be from manager to employee - anyone can praise anyone else
So what are you waiting for? Go praise someone already!
AgentSully Said,
May 12, 2007 @ 12:59 am
Brilliant! Love it! And love your blog! So refreshing!
“Give everyone an A” - Ben Zander “The Art of Possibility”
“Give honest sincere appreciation” - Dale Carnegie “…Win Friends & Influence People”
Best regards!
ebrown Said,
May 14, 2007 @ 7:46 pm
Hi Alexander,
I am soooo glad to see someone else talk about the virtue of praise and fun in the workplace (and in life). I often write about the same things (maybe that’s why some think I am Weird) and am encouraged to see more people like yourself talking about this topic.
Don’t stop!
-ebrown
You… are great! Said,
December 18, 2008 @ 5:43 pm
[...] The value of praise. [...]
Top 9 in ‘09: Resolving to Be Great - Stephanie Malone Design Blog Said,
January 3, 2009 @ 8:39 am
[...] 5. You Are Great In a perfect world, we’d all encounter enough niceness each day to keep our spirits and morale high. Unfortunately, we all have days when it feels like the world is not on our side. And there are those painful days when you get way too much negative enforcement and not nearly enough of the positive kind. If you don’t have someone around to tell you how amazing you are, sometimes you need the strength to tell yourself. Here are 3 great pick-me-up sources when you need a little help to feel happy and inspired: [...]