Praise to Flourish, Criticize to Shrivel.
“Lavish praise on people and they will flourish, criticize and they will shrivel up.”
Richard Branson
Some things in life are hard, like settling into a new role, a new relationship or a new activity and it was while I was out running last weekend that Branson’s quote came to mind.
I am training to run another half marathon, but it’s probably three or four years and radiotherapy since my last one so training has been tough. Last Saturday I set out on my run, knowing it was going to be a long one but my mind and body were aligned to get the job done.
I saw in the distance, a cyclist slowly riding towards me and as they got nearer, I noticed it was an elderly woman who was riding. She smiled as she passed, shouted I was doing great and rode off. I smiled and thought to myself it’s you that’s doing great, out on your cycle in your later years and thought no more of it.
A few km’s down the road, I turned around for my journey back home. Like anything, it gets tough at certain points and my style was starting to deteriorate and look more like someone was dragging me along with an invisible rope. Then I saw her again, coming the other way as she too had turned around and I assume heading back from where she came. As she cycled level with me, I smiled at her in greeting and this time she shouted “you’re a champion”! I thanked her and struggled on, but you know, her words hit me. There I was obviously struggling but her words inspired me to say to myself, “hell, yes I am,” rectify my style and pick up my pace a little. Her words moved me; literally, it was quite a surreal moment like something off a movie. I completed my run that day and have remembered the stranger’s words on my runs since.
How many times has someone picked you up when the going at work or home or somewhere else got tough? A few words of encouragement can make the difference between quitting and carrying on, flourishing and shriveling. Encourage others lavishly as you go and forget criticizing even exists. I know you’ll make a difference to someone.
To you: How has praise and encouragement helped you or others through a tricky spot?
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I am the author of three books (Wiley) on social media marketing and building relationships and you can find them all here. You might like to subscribe to me for more useful updates and if you are looking for a speaker or trainer for your next event, do get in touch.
Highly successful General Sales, Operations and Business Development Manager with signifcant experience in local and multi-unit district locations driven to improve total organizational performance and team culture.
9yToo often it's easier to criticize the results than to praise the effort. We should all work to bring each other to a higher level. Thanks for the reminder.
I love this!! The support and encouragement from total strangers is one thing that makes doing long distant events so inspiring. I was running one day, training for the marathon I dragged my complaining body through last year. My inner voice was whinging something chronic. I was grumpy and wondering why I'd decided to do such a stupid thing as a marathon. A woman with a walker was coming towards me. She smiled and said, "I'm jealous." Boy did that shut my inner voice up - and I'm pleased to say it also had the good grace to blush at its bad attitude.
AML/CTF Senior Analyst at Commonwealth Bank
9yOn point
Sales Consultant at Mercedes-Benz USA
9yFantastic message that so many of today's "Leaders" continue to struggle with truly grasping! Everyone can recognize the difference when you observe the teams that get it though!