How to Be More Encouraging: Behaviors for Supporting Colleagues

The Challenge of Being Encouraging

• 📌 The phrase "be more encouraging" is often unhelpful on performance reviews because it lacks actionable steps.
• 💡 While difficult to describe what an encouraging person is, it's easier to define the behaviors that constitute encouragement.

Key Behaviors for Encouragement

• 😊 Smile: Make a conscious effort to smile when meeting people, during presentations, or when someone is sharing personal news, signaling engagement and welcome.
• 🎯 Focus on Positives: Actively notice and acknowledge things that are going well, even routine successes like on-time package delivery or system uptime, as these are often overlooked.
• 🗣️ Talk Specifically About Wins: Go beyond general praise to highlight specific achievements, deliverables, or successful interactions, demonstrating detailed attention and support.

The Power of Positive Feedback

• 💡 Acknowledging successes, even small ones or those in standing meetings, reinforces positive behaviors and builds relationships.
• 🚀 When a peer makes a mistake but has a solution, smiling and nodding through the solution phase encourages their problem-solving efforts.
• 🧠 Focusing on positives, like a well-presented part of a briefing even if questions were tough, helps individuals acknowledge their strengths.
• 🤝 Encouragement isn't about agreeing; it's about showing you're listening, following along, and supporting the effort or idea.

Practical Application and Mindset

• 📈 Even if you don't naturally smile or offer praise, consciously adopting these behaviors can make a significant difference.
• 🌟 Be a positive force: By noticing and speaking up about what goes well, you can stand out, especially in environments where such feedback is rare.
• ✅ You don't need to be a manager to offer encouragement; observing and commenting on hard work or successful outcomes is valuable.
• 💬 When providing feedback, focus on specific positive aspects, like a well-structured presentation or a detailed email, rather than just generalities.