I don't think I've ever been in a position to praise an adult. I'm probably wrong, but I can't think of any. Kids, sure - that's easy and I do it as often as they deserve it.
I, like many, didn't get much praise from my parents when I was growing up. Most of my achievements were treated as run-of-the-mill or as if it was what they expected. This attitude, I think, made me work harder at trying to impress them, but only until I realised that whatever I did was for me, and not for them.
I receive praise with a degree of shyness and usually dismiss it quickly, or say something matter-of-fact to try and make what I did look like nothing out of the ordinary.
Recognition is something I have a love-hate relationship with of late, especially at work. My boss is one who holds recognition - be it by colleagues or clients - in high regard. So much so that he seems hungry for it, and it comes across when he praises me or the people in our team. Any praise is via email, and is usually the result of one of the projects that HE oversees doing well - with a cc to HIS boss. Some would say he's just keeping his boss in the loop, but I think there's a fair bit of underlying brown-nosing going on.
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Originally Posted by onesnowyowl
Through all of my leadership training and practice, the one tool I still use on a regular basis is this: recognition. We were taught that recognition of an individual's contribution to the group's success is one of the most important things you can do. It greases the wheels, so to speak. If someone gives their best effort this time, and you recognize that effort, they're more likely to repeat it next time, or go above and beyond.
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I agree 100%. As long as the recognition or praise is coming from a sincere source, with only the best interest of the praisee in mind.