Praise, Like Sunlight, Helps All Things Grow

A well-known CEO once noticed a particularly fine achievement by another CEO. He thought he would write a letter of congratulations immediately, but he didn’t. A day or two passed, and he thought this CEO would get hundreds of other notes about it, so he didn’t write. The next time he saw his CEO friend he congratulated him and told him how he had failed to send his letter of commendation.

His CEO friend asked, “How many letters do you think I received?”

The other CEO guessed many, but the real answer was, “Not one.”

Praise – sincere, honest praise – improves a person’s hearing as well as their attitude toward just about everything.

One of my all-time favorite aphorisms is: “A pat on the back accomplishes more than a slap in the face.” Recently I saw it stated a little differently: “A pat on the back, though only a few vertebrae removed from a kick in the pants, is miles ahead in results.”

When was the last time you said any of the following? “You did a terrific job.” “I believe in you.” “I appreciate all that you’re doing.” “Keep up the great work.” “You make me proud.” If you can’t remember using these phrases, you’ve got some retooling to do. 

The late Mary Kay Ash, the cosmetics giant, was a champion motivator and a “people person” if I ever met one. She put it this way: “The two things people want more than sex or money are recognition and praise.”

Employees want to be praised because it means they are seen as competent, hardworking members of the team. Good managers want satisfied, motivated and productive staff members. 

The cost of giving sincere praise is next to nothing, but a recent study found that the payoff can be huge. The HR software firm Workhuman and Gallup tracked the career paths of more than 3,400 workers across several industries between 2022-24. Employees who received high-quality recognition on the job were 45 percent less likely to switch jobs.

Survey respondents who received recognition on the job also said they felt lower stress levels and burnout than those who said they were not recognized. The survey also discovered that younger workers expect more appreciation than their parents.

Praising employees is incredibly important and can have a profound impact on both individual performance and overall workplace morale. Let me break down why it's so crucial.

Recognition and praise can significantly boost an employee's morale. When employees feel appreciated, they're more motivated to continue performing well and even exceed expectations.

Employees who receive regular praise are generally more satisfied with their jobs. This satisfaction can lead to higher retention rates and a more positive work environment.

When you praise employees for specific behaviors or achievements, it reinforces those actions. This encourages employees to repeat those behaviors, contributing to a more productive and positive workplace culture. 

Praise can help build an employee's confidence in their abilities. When employees feel confident, they're more likely to take initiative and contribute innovative ideas. 

Regularly acknowledging employees' efforts helps build stronger relationships between management and staff. This can lead to improved communication and collaboration within teams.

I have found the best ways to implement effective praise must include these particulars:

1.     Be specific: Instead of generic praise, be specific about what the employee did well. This shows that you are paying attention and truly value their contributions.

2.     Be timely: Offer praise as soon as possible after the achievement. This reinforces the connection between behavior and recognition.

3.     Be genuine: Ensure that your praise is sincere and heartfelt. Employees can easily detect insincere or forced praise.

4.     Public recognition: Consider recognizing achievements publicly, such as in team meetings or company newsletters, to further enhance the impact.

I learned an important lesson about praise from my father, contained in a letter that he’d written to my sister and me to be read after his death. He reminded us of some of the things he wanted us to remember in our relationships with others. 

One point he stressed was how important it is to compliment and praise others so we can never feel sorry for something left unsaid. I have taken that advice to heart, and I know it has been as important in my business life as it has been in my personal life. 

Mackay's Moral: A little praise goes a long way. Recognize and celebrate your employees' achievements, and you'll cultivate a thriving, motivated and loyal workforce.