Praise, Presence, and Professionalism

Maggie Ellis

Hey everyone, welcome back to Being Disruptive! I'm Maggie Ellis, and as always, I'm joined by the one and only Darren Colby. Darren, how's it going?

Darren Colby

Hey Maggie! Doing great. I just finished reorganizing my board game shelf, so I'm feeling extra accomplished today. But, uh, nobody gave me a gold star for it, so I guess that's on me.

Maggie Ellis

You know, that's actually a perfect segue. Today we're talking about praise—like, why it matters, and how it can totally change the vibe in a team. I mean, it's wild how quick we are to point out mistakes, but we forget to say, "Hey, you crushed it!" when someone does something right.

Darren Colby

Yeah, and it's not just about saying "good job." The research—well, the stuff I've seen—shows that positive feedback, when it's specific and timely, is a huge motivator. It's easy, takes almost no time, and honestly, it can be a game-changer for morale.

Maggie Ellis

Totally. I remember during my last internship, there was this engineer—let's call him Sam—who figured out a quick fix for a workflow bottleneck. Our manager didn't just say, "Thanks, Sam." She literally called him out in front of the whole team, like, "Sam, that new process you set up saved us hours this week. The team is already asking when we can roll it out everywhere." You could see Sam light up. And suddenly, everyone was brainstorming ways to improve stuff. It was like, contagious energy.

Darren Colby

That's the thing—public recognition, when it's genuine, can really boost morale. But, you know, you gotta be careful. Not everyone wants a parade in their honor. Some folks would rather get a quiet "thank you" in the hallway than a standing ovation in the break room.

Maggie Ellis

Yeah, for sure. Like, if someone is super shy, maybe just a quick shoutout in their workgroup is enough. But for others, you can go all out—balloons, banners, the whole shebang. I mean, don't throw a party every time someone refills the printer paper, but celebrate the big wins, right?

Darren Colby

Exactly. And the key is to make it sincere. People can spot fake praise a mile away. If you congratulate someone for just showing up on time, it loses all meaning. But if you call out something specific—like, "Hey, that report you turned around in 24 hours? That saved the project"—it lands so much better.

Maggie Ellis

And do it often! Not just for the big stuff. Celebrate the small wins, too. But, you know, keep it proportional. If you throw confetti every time someone answers an email, nobody's gonna care when someone lands a huge client.

Darren Colby

Right, and I think leaders have to balance public praise with private feedback. Like, if there's something to improve, that's a one-on-one conversation. But when it's time to celebrate, do it in front of the team—if that's what the person is comfortable with.

Maggie Ellis

Yeah, it's all about knowing your people. And honestly, when you get that balance right, it makes folks way more open to feedback—even the tough stuff.

Darren Colby

So, let's talk professionalism. It's not just about wearing a suit, right? It's attitude, appearance, behavior—the whole package. And, uh, I learned that the hard way. There was this one time, years ago, I showed up to a big client pitch in my usual jeans and a polo. The client was in full business attire. The meeting was... let's just say, chilly.

Maggie Ellis

Oh no, Darren! Did you at least have cool sneakers?

Darren Colby

They were cool to me, but not to the client, apparently. Next time, I put on a sharp jacket, and the whole tone changed. People took me more seriously. It's weird, but appearance really does count—even if it's just clean, put-together clothes that fit the company vibe.

Maggie Ellis

Yeah, and it's not just clothes. It's how you act, too. Like, manners matter. Being calm when things get stressful, using the right words, not, you know, dropping F-bombs in a meeting. That stuff adds up.

Darren Colby

Totally. And vocabulary—it's not about using big words, it's about using the right words. Communicating clearly so people actually get what you're saying. That's a big part of being seen as a pro.

Maggie Ellis

And mindset! Like, being able to focus, see the big picture, and expect success. I mean, if you don't see yourself as a professional, nobody else will. That's actually the biggest obstacle for a lot of people—not money, not education, but just believing you belong at the table.

Darren Colby

Yeah, self-perception is huge. If you walk into a room thinking, "I'm just faking it," people pick up on that. But if you act like you belong, stay positive, and keep your cool, it changes how others see you—and how you see yourself.

Maggie Ellis

It's like, professionalism is contagious. When leaders set the standard, the team follows. But it starts with how you see yourself. If you don't buy it, nobody else will.

Maggie Ellis

So, let's get into feedback—like, the real kind, not just "good job" or "needs improvement." I remember the first time I got detailed feedback. I was, uh, pretty nervous. My manager sat me down and went through what I did well, but also where I could step it up. At first, I was like, "Ouch." But then I realized, she was rooting for me to get better, not just pointing out flaws. It totally changed how I approach feedback now.

Darren Colby

Yeah, that's the sweet spot—balancing positive and constructive feedback. If all you ever hear is criticism, you tune out. But if you get a mix, you're way more open to hearing what you can improve. And honestly, when people see that you're fair, they're more likely to accept the tough stuff.

Maggie Ellis

And it's not one-size-fits-all. Some people love public recognition, others want a private chat. Some need a pep talk, others want the straight facts. Leaders have to, like, tailor their approach to each person. Otherwise, you risk missing the mark and losing motivation.

Darren Colby

Exactly. And you gotta be consistent. Celebrate the small wins, but save the big celebrations for the big achievements. And always, always be sincere. People know when you're just checking a box.

Maggie Ellis

Yeah, and when you get it right, you build trust. People feel valued, they're more willing to take risks, and the whole team grows together. That's what makes a workplace special, honestly.

Darren Colby

Couldn't agree more. And hey, that's all we've got for today. But we'll be back with more on leadership, disruption, and maybe a few more embarrassing stories from my early career.

Maggie Ellis

Thanks for hanging out with us! Darren, always a pleasure. See you next time, everyone!

Darren Colby

See ya, Maggie. Take care, folks!