The Power of "Positive Praise"
We’ve all heard the phrase “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all…” True, this is always a better choice than making derogatory comments to or about someone. However, if you want to make the best kind of impression, take time to develop your “positive praise” techniques.
At first glance this may seem easy, but in our hectic, performance-driven business environment, it’s often easier to focus on the negative before ever giving thought to the positive. Indeed, there are plenty of circumstances that require a lot of effort to find, let alone focus on, the positive. Nevertheless, “positive praise” can work wonders at turning the tide from a “bad to worse” scenario into a “win-win” partnership!
For those of you eager to jump on the “positive praise” bandwagon, here are a few helpful hints…
First, take an inventory of your “positive praise” meter. Pay attention to the very first thoughts you have each morning - this is a strong indicator of your mindset for the day. Then, keep a checklist of how many times you notice the people and things around you and your first response (in thought or in word) carries a negative insult. Also, keep a record of how often you think something nice about yourself and others during your everyday events. How did it all stack up? Do you tend to focus on the positive of life?
Second, make a plan to practice “positive praise.” You could set a goal to say a certain number of nice things each day – about yourself and others in your company. And, when you’re really on a roll, saying something nice about someone who isn’t around is a powerful test. It’s far too easy to get caught up in “water-cooler” gossip... You’ll know your succeeding when you can even find something nice to say about the person who just insulted you!
Most importantly, you need to be sincere. The most impacting “positive praise” recognizes a person’s character and contribution, not just their outfit or hairdo. These are wonderful places to start, but the seasoned professional will also be able to acknowledge, genuinely, someone’s inner beauty.
Begin practicing “positive praise” today and, over time, you will notice the life-changing benefits of stronger, longer-lasting relationships!
At first glance this may seem easy, but in our hectic, performance-driven business environment, it’s often easier to focus on the negative before ever giving thought to the positive. Indeed, there are plenty of circumstances that require a lot of effort to find, let alone focus on, the positive. Nevertheless, “positive praise” can work wonders at turning the tide from a “bad to worse” scenario into a “win-win” partnership!
For those of you eager to jump on the “positive praise” bandwagon, here are a few helpful hints…
First, take an inventory of your “positive praise” meter. Pay attention to the very first thoughts you have each morning - this is a strong indicator of your mindset for the day. Then, keep a checklist of how many times you notice the people and things around you and your first response (in thought or in word) carries a negative insult. Also, keep a record of how often you think something nice about yourself and others during your everyday events. How did it all stack up? Do you tend to focus on the positive of life?
Second, make a plan to practice “positive praise.” You could set a goal to say a certain number of nice things each day – about yourself and others in your company. And, when you’re really on a roll, saying something nice about someone who isn’t around is a powerful test. It’s far too easy to get caught up in “water-cooler” gossip... You’ll know your succeeding when you can even find something nice to say about the person who just insulted you!
Most importantly, you need to be sincere. The most impacting “positive praise” recognizes a person’s character and contribution, not just their outfit or hairdo. These are wonderful places to start, but the seasoned professional will also be able to acknowledge, genuinely, someone’s inner beauty.
Begin practicing “positive praise” today and, over time, you will notice the life-changing benefits of stronger, longer-lasting relationships!
Post a Comment