Compliments That Count - Applaud TRUE Accomplishments

As we mentioned, compliments hopefully encourage behavior that we would like repeated. To that end, it's important NOT to commend your children or co-workers for easy tasks (for example - kids taking out the trash or coworker filing the documents). This kind of reflexive praise makes too big a deal about ordinary responsibilities that should be part of normal family life or normal work life. It also may have more damaging consequences. Children or co-workers may think you can't recognize how simple the job is, or suspect you believe he or she is fragile and needs a pat on the back for doing it. Save your appreciation for efforts that are merit-worthy. When praise is truly deserved, it becomes a powerful motivating force.