The importance of praise

Mark Twain once said, "I could live for two months on one good compliment."

We all love to receive compliments. They make everyone feel better. It turns out studies show that compliments can also help people perform better.

In a study published in the journal PLOS One, researchers at Japan's National Institute for Physiological Sciences recruited 48 adults to perform a task that required them to tap items on a keyboard in a specific pattern. Then the adults were split into three groups. One group received personalized, individual compliments. Another was forced to watch as other people received compliments. The third group was meant to evaluate how they did as participants on the test.

When the participants returned to the testing facility the next day, all the participants were asked to perform the keyboard test once again. The group that received personalized compliments performed better on the test that day than either of the other groups. According to the study, compliments activate the same region of the brain — the striatum — as cash does, and both encourage people to perform better.

Compliments are a powerful social and work-related tool. If you want to make a positive impression at work, be generous with compliments. Show appreciation to co-workers (and even your boss) for their good work. When giving compliments, the more specific you are, the better.

Compliments not only reassure people, they create positive energy, strengthen relationships and build trust. They are a sign of respect.

Many people know how to flatter, but few know how to praise. Sincere praise reassures individuals. It helps them neutralize doubts they have about themselves. Just remember, the sweetest of all sounds is praise. Silent gratitude isn't of very much use to anyone.

Making praise a truly effective motivational tool requires a little planning. Like anything else, praise loses its effectiveness if it's overused. On the other hand, its power is diminished if it's underused.

The purpose of workplace praise is to improve productivity and reinforce positive behavior. Try to offer some sort of praise or positive feedback at least once a month. Give extra attention to new employees, those who seem to lack confidence or team members testing the waters with new assignments. Otherwise, focus on those making an extra effort, accomplishing a difficult task or exhibiting behavior you want others to emulate.

Don't ignore the flip side of giving compliments. The givers benefit through improved moods, enhanced positivity and awareness.

Nearly 100 years ago, Charles M. Schwab was one of the first men to earn a million dollars a year working for someone else. Schwab was paid such a handsome amount largely because of his ability to deal with people.

Schwab described his secret: "I consider my ability to arouse enthusiasm among the men the greatest asset I possess, and the way to develop the best that is in a man is by appreciation and encouragement. There is nothing else that so kills the ambitions of man as criticisms from his superiors. I never criticize anyone. I believe in giving a man incentive to work. So, I am anxious to praise but loath to find fault. If I like anything, I am hearty in my approbation and lavish in my praise."

Mackay's Moral: As I've said a million times, little things don't mean a lot — they mean everything.