Top 5 Ways to Be Better at Giving and Receiving Praise

1. Be Specific, Not Generic

• Giving: Instead of “Good job,” say “I really appreciated how you stepped up to lead the meeting today—it brought clarity and confidence to the whole team.”

• Receiving: Acknowledge it with gratitude and, if appropriate, reflect on what specifically helped you succeed.

  2. Be Timely

• Giving: Praise is most powerful when it's fresh. Don’t wait for formal reviews—speak up as soon as you notice something great.

• Receiving: Respond promptly and graciously. A simple “Thank you, that means a lot” goes a long way.

  3. Make It Personal

• Giving: Tailor your praise to the individual’s values or effort. People are more moved when the praise shows that you see them.

• Receiving: Don’t deflect or downplay. Accept that someone noticed your contribution—own it with humility.

  4. Focus on Effort and Impact

• Giving: Highlight the hard work, problem-solving, or collaboration that led to success—not just the outcome.

• Receiving: Recognize your role in the bigger picture, and consider how your work helped the team.

  5. Practice the Praise Loop

• Giving: Create a culture where praise flows in all directions—peer to peer, manager to team, team to leader.

• Receiving: Pay it forward. When you receive sincere praise, use that as a reminder to encourage someone else.

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