By Mazala Zulu
Many of us are used to looking out for things that are going wrong. After all, if something is wrong, it needs to be fixed.
But do you actively look out for things that are going right? And how often do you show your appreciation for people who are performing well, even if you’re not close to them?
Many people don’t give enough praise especially in the workplace. However, almost everyone – including team members, colleagues, customers, suppliers and your boss – loves to get sincere recognition for a job well done.
Why Give Praise?
There are many reasons why you should regularly give praise.
First, people who feel appreciated and respected are more motivated than those who think their efforts go unnoticed. They’re more engaged in the work they do, and they’re more committed to their teams and organisations, because they know that they’re making a real difference. This is especially important if you’re working in an organisation where budgets are tight, and where you can’t afford to reward your people with raises or bonuses.
[pullquote]people who feel appreciated and respected are more motivated than those who think their efforts go unnoticed[/pullquote]
Sincere praise also helps you develop good relationships with colleagues, customers, friends and family. These same people are often very willing to return that feeling of goodwill: this means that they’re more likely to lend a helping hand or share some useful information when you need it.
An interesting aspect about praise is the chemical reaction it causes in us. When you praise someone else, not only does that person feel great, but it leads them to want to experience that same feeling again. Giving praise cements good working habits and behavior, both chemically and intellectually.
On the other hand, some people find it very difficult to give compliments. For instance, if they were raised in an environment where giving praise wasn’t the norm, it might not occur to them to praise people. Other people feel uncomfortable giving praise, because they have low self-esteem, or because it makes them feel embarrassed.
If you don’t feel comfortable giving praise, it’s important to think about why it’s difficult for you. Once you’ve discovered the root of the problem, you can start taking steps to overcome it.
If you’re simply not used to giving others praise, set a goal to recognise someone’s good work at least once each day. Remember that you don’t have to be face-to-face with someone to praise good work; you can send an email, call the person, or even praise her hard work to others when the person isn’t around.
While giving praise is important, it’s equally important not to go over the top. If you praise others too often, it will lessen the impact of your message and make others question your integrity. Follow these strategies to give memorable and sincere praise.
- Be Specific
- Praise often and sincerely.
- Praise Appropriately
- Spread Your Praise
It is so important not to praise someone and then ask for a favor in the same conversation. The other person might suspect that the praise is meaningless, and that you’re simply “buttering them up.”
Praise is an essential part of keeping people motivated and engaged in their work, and it’s also good for building good working relationships with team members, customers, and colleagues.
In some places, praise can embarrass people or even cause them to look at you with mistrust. In these situations, it’s important to be sensitive in the way that you give praise.
Wisdom becomes knowledge when it becomes your personal experience
Yes, your views are correct but other theories also suggest that praise can give rise to complacency.
some things in life are duties that need no praise. i dont need praise for taking care of my children thats what am supposed to i dont need a cookie for that. it is this kind of mentality that makes us usher in governments that demand praise for making pronouncements.
True; but read the article again and you will realise that the author has tried hard to be as politically neutral as possible. For the good work you do for your kids, I say well done, we need more parents like that. Believe you me, I have kids I look after in Zed; and in most cases you feel depressed because no matter how hard you work, those keeping them feel you are not doing enough because money grows on trees in Diaspora. But if someone said thanks for your limited effort, you feel a great sense of achievement. This is what the author is all about. Again, I agree with you 100% the praise singing for politicians who are working on things that they are over paid for is utter disgusting; the dancing at the airport blablabla, is just ridiculous!!
I praise you for that comment.. the Diaspora
This article is indeed well thought out and written. In western world, they really praise their children thus motivating and encouraging them to shine more in their activities. Praising someone indeed gives motivation and positive image in the eyes of others. Definately, criticism is welcome to, but mind how you criticize, because it can either let that person become hardened against any of your advice or loose self confidence in his abilities. For instance, the way Zambian opposition politicians criticize those in power to the extent of wishing someone death so that they can succeed as leaders is utterly sad and bad! Â Give praise where it is due. What about if its your turn would you like others to treat you the same – critises trivialities, insult, belittle, disagree on anything?
It is wholly situational. There’s examples made here about a parent praising a child’s efforts/ accomplishments. Or the parent who mentions parenting is his duty so ‘praise’ is not necessarily a requirement; rather appreciation should be shown to the parent for several reasons one being that the child appreciates the help the parent supplies in more ways than just monetarily. However, a different situation is when it’s involves the ‘social compact’ in any country; yes we appreciate it when people are elected to office fulfill the obligations of their office. We ‘praise’ them in many ways in Zambia (archaic methods must abandoned though). But we must press them, to continue because it’s quite often they get too egomaniacal when we do praise them. That’s what i would expect.
Cant agree more
Give praise where it is due indeed. Rebuke to correct the situation without getting so personal if you are going to build the other. After all, it’s usually easier said than done for some of the things we condemn others about.
Praise is truly due to Wynter Kabimba. He is a true hardworking leader.
Praise to Manu vs Madrd…
Yes praise me all, for I have been and still rehabilitating thinking capacities of atleast 90 % of you.
Praise must be given to every thing good.You should also be praised for being a good father in the same way that we praise God for the good we receive from him. Politicians just like ant other person deserve praise when its due in order to motivate them because there are others who don’t perform despite being obliged to do so.
Am glad the article didn’t touch politics, how can i praise someone whose driving under the influence of beer for causing an accident but not killing the passengers?
Away from the topic, i think the sooner we ask ourselves this question the better for everyone,Who is the Genuine SERVANT here between the Government and the CITIZENS?
How can a SERVANT be more POWERFUL than his BOSS? Confused YES but don’t be POLITICS is meant to enrich one set of people the POLITICIANS, Democracy gives us false sense of POWER over POLITICIANS. The best we can do is VOTE WISELY, even amongst mental patients there are some that violent and others peaceful.
I praise HH for being the voice for the voiceless even amidst intimidation by the current government. Thumbs up HH.
I agree but no politician is gonna get my praise. They just grow big-headed
Finding anything good about this govt is as hard as sitting for a calculus exam when you studied only one night.
Giving praise should not be a hard discussed subject. Thank you for the article, it’s an eye open. I need to call my boss for a well presented presentation last week.
Why don`t i see my comments?????