How to Praise Staff

Managers that attend management courses often struggle giving the appropriate type of praise to employees. You may have wondered just why praise does not have the same affect on members of staff. Some employees are very grateful and are spurred on to even better achievements by your appreciation of their efforts. Whilst other staff receive praise rather as a matter of course and can even step down a gear when they receive praise.

Where does the different behaviour come from?

These questions are fodder for psychologists. Vera F. Birkenbihl in her book called “Communication Training” traces this matter back to the various reasons why people were `patted’ in childhood. In research, one group received appreciation (they were `patted’) because they were accepted for what they were. These people are those who are `Patted for Being’. The other group were, mainly praised when they had attained a success. These are those `Patted for Doing’.

Being orientated people grew up with the feeling that they were entitled to recognition even without having achieved anything special. Thus they do not set themselves very high goals. Doing orientated people, however want to earn themselves recognition. 

What consequences does this finding have for you as a manager?
Managers must to try and identify which people belong to which group. You can make the distinction if you note of how staff react to praise.

You should praise doing orientated employees regularly for their efforts and achievements. Remember to praise them even when they are “just trying”. They need your praise and will thrive on it.

On the other hand, be sparing with your recognition of being orientated employees. This should be both in the quantity and in the strength of your appreciation. You should only give express praise when they have achieved exceptional success. However you must provide them with regular confirmation that you value and respect them.

Birkenbihl’s theory is interesting. It seems to suggest that that if the task is one where sales results are the prime measurement then “doing orientation” employees will be easier to motivate. Where as if the task involves customer or team bonding then the reverse would be true. Giving praise to staff in the most appropriate form is covered on good management courses.

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