The power of positive feedback

I have always been a firm believer of motivators that impact us at work, at home, wherever.... Positive feedback or that Pat on the back is one of those and I am intrigued by what a quick 'Great job' comment can do to your adrenaline rush and cause you to push forward and do even better. I wrote about this earlier too but, wanted to add more since a recent phone conversation I had at work last week triggered these thoughts again. I was having this phone conversation with K in preparation for a big meeting next day and while we were ending it, K just said 'hey.. I think you are doing a great job on this project' and proceeded to even qualify it with why he thought so. I just replied with a thank you and I appreciate it. It took him about 5 seconds to say this but, had a profound impact on me. This was great in many ways since it was a new engagement with all new people that I never worked with before. My style is always to not demand respect by position but, more to earn the team's trust and respect by showing them my worth and adding value in whatever way I can without being caught up by roles and responsibilities. So, this 5 second pat on the back did show me that .. yes I am being appreciated and also made me feel good because it was not a generic 'great job' but, with a qualifier that showed that K was paying attention to my work and contribution. So.. a big thanks to K for doing that.
I think this thing about recognition and positive feedback is something that many organizations talk about in their HR policies book but, only few of them truly put it to practice.. I think it does take a little bit of effort from whoever is in the leadership position for each group to instill this and he/she can mostly do it by leading by example. A lot of people think of giving those pats on the backs as being childish and immature but, thats not at all true and as human beings, we thrive on recognition quite a bit. I know its hard to get into this habit at work if the culture is non existent but, remember Gandhi's quote

Be the change you want to see in the world

I think this habit of giving recognition when and where deserved should not be isolated to just work life but, in our personal lives too. Mommy was so good at doing this and the best thing that I observed in her is that she never hesitated to appreciate even a stranger she ran into in the store or wherever and she did this for what seemed like a very small thing.. like she would go forward and tell the lady at the checkout counter that their smile was really good and brightens the room. Imagine how this person would have felt hearing this from some stranger and especially if that person was having a rough day, this small gesture would make her feel better and costs you nothing but, an eye and a heart to recognize something positive in every interaction you have. Again, I think there is a difference in saying a generic 'good job' vs. 'hey, I noticed you did this... this and this and think you did a great job'. Its important that you try to qualify the recognition. Check this out for some simple tips on giving positive feedback.
I am sure many new parents go through this endless quest for reassurance that they are doing a good job as parents and these pats on the back from either your spouse or mom or dad or a friend about your parenting skills can do a lot to boost your confidence.
In our busy, highly scheduled lives, we always tend to be in a rush to get somewhere else or want something else without appreciating what we already have.. but, giving timely positive recognition is one more thing that Mommy taught me more through her actions and I hope to remember it and follow it through every day....