“Good job” or “Well Done” you go to any gym, practice field,
pool or court around the world and that is what you hear. I look at the action
that was praised and say why? Was it really a good job? Was it really well
done? No it wasn’t, then why do we
praise mediocre effort and outcomes? I think I know – it is because somewhere
along the way we were told we needed to be positive, to raise self-esteem. This
is total bull shitake. Be honest; if it was a poor effort point it out. You
don’t have to attack the person that is not what it is about, it is the effort
the person is giving. Praise and reward the effort conversely criticize the
effort not the person. The athlete knows it is BS and phony, they begin to tune you
out when you are constantly giving false praise. If you don’t know what to say,
don’t say anything! Be real, you can help the athlete get better if you correct
what needs to be corrected with a recommendation of something they can do to
improve. That is how you raise self-esteem. You guide them toward their goal,
praise exemplary effort and the outcome will follow.