Face Front! Friday! Praise Highly and Move in Increments

ByDavid

On Tuesday I told you about a special shared moment mentoring that I received when I was in grad school. A few years ago. Here’s how it applies to you, today.

If you’re leading people… students, colleagues, mentees… there’s a temptation to save praise until the final outcome is clear.

One of my dearest mentors once told me “don’t get distracted by celebration.”

Yet, growth and development won’t happen in giant leaps. They come in small, visible steps, and people need to know that those steps matter.

Praise highly doesn’t mean inflate.
It means that you name what was done well, specifically and publicly enough that the person and your team know what to repeat.

Move in increments doesn’t mean lower standards or settle for less.
It means create progress markers that are attainable, meaningful, and clearly connected to the larger goal.

When leaders skip either part, two things tend to happen:

  • Without praise, people stop taking risks. They stop caring.
  • Without increments, people stop believing progress is possible.

So ask yourself:

  • Who has earned recognition for meaningful forward motion?
  • Where have I asked for a leap when a clear step forward would do?

Growth accelerates when people feel seen and guided. Cared for.

Praise highly and move in increments.

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Every challenge is part of your origin story.

If you want help turning yours into something you can use, clearly and confidently, in interviews, bios, or pitches, I’m happy to help.

That’s the heart of You Own Your Origin Story (YOYOS): recognizing the power already present in your experience.

You own your origin story. Message me if I can help you claim it and build your superpower portfolio.

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#ResilientWomen #Praise#MentorshipMatters#LeadershipDevelopment
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