A few days ago I was spending some time with the family. Our 2 ½ year old, Luke, was playing with small magnetized squares made for as building blocks. Luke had placed about 20 blocks carefully, one by one to make a small wall. He was calm and focused on the task. I sat next to him, and said in an excited voice, “Wow, Luke, you built an amazing wall buddy.” My wife Joanne was sitting close by, “Mommy, look at what Luky built.” It was a simple exchange that any dad would make.
Luke, reacting to my comments, looked up with his shy sweet demeanor and smiled, visibly proud of himself.
I remembered at that moment how when he and Emmy (Luke’s twin) were younger, taking their first steps, they got so excited when we praised them.
If you have kids or have interacted with kids, these scenes are familiar.
We are wired to be praised. Even from the tender age of a year, you see signs of this need that we all have.
At any one point, there is more working against people than for them. Life is tough. Will you, as their leader, be a voice that interrupts their work to tell them good job?
Many times, we are consumed with what a person is not doing well, or with what we want the other person to do differently. We might even use a “good job” as fodder to say something critical or “constructive.” We must do better as leaders. If you aim to bless people, not just lead people, stop and say, “Thank you.” Stop and say, “Great job!” Yes, this takes intention, and time. Of course we must keep these comments authentic and not fake.
Look for those moments: be the rare leader who makes people around them feel like a million bucks. Don’t worry, you will have a chance to correct and align.
For today, give that much needed “You’re amazing!”
Who will you praise today?
How can I support you more as a Christian leader and entrepreneur?
