Mistakes when praising
Mistakes can also be made when praising, which can ruin its positive effect. Here are some typical mistakes that should be avoided when praising:
- Exaggerate: Exaggerated or excessive praise can appear untrustworthy and give the employee the feeling that the praise is not genuine.
- Be vague: Vague praise can be confusing for the employee and make them wonder what exactly they did well. Be as specific as possible in your praise to avoid this confusion.
- Not focusing on the person: Praise that does not address the person’s specific efforts or accomplishments can be perceived as impersonal and insignificant. Make sure your praise is tailored to the person and their specific achievements.
- Combine praise with criticism: It is a bad idea to combine praise with criticism, as this devalues the praise and cancels out the positive effect. If you have to criticize, do so in a separate conversation and not in connection with the praise.
- Using praise as manipulation: When praise is used as a means of manipulation or control, it can undermine employee trust and lead to mistrust. Always use praise in a sincere and respectful way.
