INTHEBLACK December 2021 - Magazine - Page 66
WORK
SMART
// P R A I S E
HIGH
PRAISE
INDEED
STORY JESSICA MUDDITT
W
hy do compliments often make us cringe with
self-consciousness?
While some people are adept at graciously
accepting positive feedback and bask in the warm glow of
recognition, some are left feeling a little uncomfortable.
Nearly 70 per cent of people experience some degree
of anxiety about giving and receiving praise, according
to research by Christopher Littlefield, the founder of
workplace recognition consultancy Beyond Thank You.
Yet, the same research has found that 88 per cent of
respondents associate praise with feeling valued.
“When we hear that we’re doing a good job at work,
it sends a signal to us that we matter, and that is crucial
to relationships,” says Littlefield.
“Most of the conflicts I see in organisations are
the result of people not feeling valued.
“Their boss may actually appreciate them, but if
the employee doesn’t know that, it often turns into
resentment, followed by distrust and disengagement.”
WHAT MAKES PRAISE SO TRICKY?
GIVING PRAISE WHERE IT IS DUE IS IMPORTANT, AS IS
RECEIVING IT GRACIOUSLY AND WITHOUT AWKWARDNESS.
THREE EXPERTS SHARE THEIR TIPS ON THE ART OF PRAISE.
66 ITB December 2021
Littlefield believes that part of the awkwardness stems
from being unsure how to respond – training courses
typically do not focus on praise. In contrast, delivering
criticism is considered an art to be mastered.
Praise is also intimate, and that can spark feelings
of embarrassment.
“Someone is sharing how they feel about us, or how
they experienced something we did, and often the
person is seeing something that we didn’t see, or didn’t
want them to see,” he explains.