Giving praise doesn’t always come naturally but it is a skill well worth developing.

         “The two things people want most are recognition and praise.”

         Discover the power of praise – it will make your world a better place.

         Saying “Thank you, well done! ” is a neglected skill.

         A few words of appreciation and approval can improve a person’s performance, their self-respect and enhance relationships.

A Handful of Tips to help improve performance

* We all need praise  

         Find something to praise in each person, but only if praise is warranted.     

         Their name is precious to them, especially if associated with praise. “Jane, we are proud of you. You must have interviewed well to get that job.”

* Be specific 

         Tell people what they did well.

         People will grow in confidence and try harder if your praise is sincere.

         Praise is often appreciated more if you put your compliment in writing.

         Take care not to over-praise and embarrass the person. You can overdo praise, so your praising should be genuine and not overdone.

* Be sincere

         * Make eye contact, and thank the person by name.

* Don’t praise to cover a reprimand      

         If you do, it will not be fully heard or appreciated and you could lose self-respect.

* Praise in public, criticize in private     

         Praise loudly, blame softly. Go public with your praise.

         If you acknowledge efforts in front of their friends, colleagues, or family it often means more and could inspire others.

-Geoffrey Moss(mossassociates.co.nz)

“Discover the power of praising – it could make your world a better place!”

Source: “Persuasive Ways. ‘Tricks of the trade’ to get your ideas across”. First published by  Moss Associates Ltd., New Zealand, and in Chinese by the Shanghai People’s Publishing House, the Singapore Institute of Management, Kogan Page Ltd, U.K and in Hungarian by Bagolyvar Konyvkiado.  Also published as the “Secrets of Persuasion” by Cengage Learning Asia and as an e-book and sold by Amazon.com.