Several years ago I sat in a meeting with a senior leader who felt it would be a good idea to go around the room and provide each of the other leaders with a “pat on the back” through expressing his gratitude for what they had done.
While his intentions were good and the activity was a great idea (because we should be expressing our heartfelt praise and thanks on a regular basis); something didn’t feel quite right.
With a few of the leaders in the room you could tell he really meant what he said – it was heartfelt. But for the rest of the leaders it felt disingenuous and uncomfortable.
Why did it feel that way? He simply didn’t think it out and plan it very well. While positive feedback and appreciation aren’t something you necessarily need to plan in advance when done one on one (though you might), it is something you better think through before doing in front of a group. What he said and what he felt...