Alistair was bursting with technical knowledge yet really lacked confidence. This all changed after he gave some advice to a customer whose daughter was starting uni.
"She'll need this, and this. This is optional, but she won’t need that." he told her. By the end of the discussion, the customer was sold and she complimented Alistair hugely for his help in making a difficult job so much easier.
As a result of this positive feedback, Alistair's confidence bloomed. He has now completed a computer science course and has developed a strong sense that the world is his oyster. It may not be totally due to the customer's positive feedback, but the experience was undoubtedly a catalyst.
Positive feedback acts like fast-grow fertiliser.
However, many of us fail to express gratitude when it's deserved. Often we are too wrapped up in our own worlds to verbally appreciate good treatment from others.
A little bit of praise goes such a long way. We forget how fragile others are, and how much of a positive impact our words can have.
So next time you feel grateful, say it! Who doesn't like to hear that their input is valued? Here at Flying Solo, we never tire of receiving positive feedback.
I'm not talking about being phoney or sucking up to people. I just mean next time someone has helped you out, say that you appreciate it. It may be that you've received great service, but you may also want to thank a partner or a friend for helping you through a tough time, or for making life more fun.
You may not realise how powerful your words of gratitude are.
What do you think? Share your thoughts and experiences of positive feedback by posting a comment.
“ We forget how fragile others are, and how much of a positive impact our words can have. ”
Sam Leader is a director of Flying Solo and its editor. She is the co-author of Flying Solo - How to go it alone in business.
