What is a character of a good leader? Articles in management and leadership are flooded by various school of thoughts and theories. All of them, I can say, share the common key characters that a leader should have. I don’t want to discuss all of them here as you can easily find it somewhere else. One of them stands up clearly and imprints a vivid great image in my mind as my professional experience never fails to validate it.

Once when I was in the university, I had an internship in a company and for three months I was posted in an R&D Department. As an engineering student, my then supervisor challenged me to design a new amplifier using some new transistors, which as you may have guessed, turned out to be disastrous. With big guilt stuck in the back of my mind, I stepped into my supervisor’s cubicle with tail between my legs and admitted my epic failure, not to mention some electronics components I have burnt in the process. He scrutinised my logic and listened attentively to my explanation. I was swamped by his willingness to listen to a student and a novice in the electronics design. After a comprehensive advise and pointing out my hiccups, he smiled and praised me for my hard and relentless effort. He complimented my “never give up” spirit and my “standing up” after falling over and he delivered it sincerely. I was overwhelmed by this thrilling sensation. If it were a Hollywood movie, the time would freeze and the screen would stay at my blushed face. I solemnly promised myself that I would do my best not to let him down. Strong respect and admiration came along with it. He was my superhero and I started to look up to him.

A pat in the back is an essential trait that every one of us should know how to use. Do it sincerely and at the right moment can propel the recipient to the right way and increase his motivation. Do it too much and without good faith will do the opposite and, believe me, even a little child can tell good praise from the bad one. Simply saying “good work” or “well done” is not sufficient. Back up you compliment with a sentence or two that emphasise and reiterate why he deserves it and this is not difficult to compose if you mean it. For God’s sake, don’t use “but” after your compliment as this will get rid of whatever good stuffs you stated before. Please remember that whatever comes before “but” doesn’t count anymore. Really!

Your compliment should not be a christmas sale. Do it too much and people would take it as fake or worse, flirting. Use it wisely and not only to your direct reports. Your colleagues, spouse, children, neighbours, friends, even your bosses would appreciate it. In the corporate setting, the gripes always go up but the well-delivered praises can go to different levels.

Giving compliment would not only do good to the recipients but also to the giver. I always believe that we make ourself happy by making people happy or, in other words, as a wise main says “Life worth living is life lived for others”.

Have you praised someone today?