The Power of Instant Praise: How a Simple Compliment Can Change Someone’s Day

I am what some might call a coffee addict.

I do not go to coffee shops often, but when I do, I never change my order. My go-to? A grande whole milk latte with a triple shot of espresso. Reliable. Consistent. No surprises.

But the other day, I walked into Starbucks with my wife, Nelli, and for some reason, I hesitated before placing my usual order. I was not sure what I wanted, and before I could decide, an enthusiastic barista chimed in.

“You HAVE to try the new Brown Sugar Oatmilk Cortado,” she said.

There was just one problem—I hate oat milk.

I made that very clear.

She did not back down. With complete confidence, she responded: “Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.”

I stared at her for a second. She believed in this drink more than some people believe in their life’s work. Her enthusiasm was contagious.

So, I took a leap. What did I have to lose?

A few minutes later, my drink was ready. I grabbed it, said thank you, and as I walked out the door, I took a sip.

It was fantastic.

The perfect temperature. The right amount of sweetness. Smooth, rich, and well-balanced.

And then something unexpected happened.

I stopped in my tracks, turned around, and walked back inside.

The baristas were overwhelmed—orders flying in, customers impatiently waiting, machines whirring—but I flagged them down anyway.

“I just wanted to tell you—this is the best coffee drink I have ever had. You guys absolutely nailed it. Thank you.”

For a brief moment, time slowed down. They paused, smiled, and I could see the pride and appreciation in their faces. They had been moving at a frantic pace, trying to keep up with the rush, but in that moment, they felt seen.

And here is the surprising part: It made me happy that I made them happy.

The Leadership Lesson: Praise in Real Time

This experience stuck with me. Not because of the coffee (though I will admit—it was ridiculously good), but because of what it revealed about human nature and leadership.

We live in a world where criticism is immediate and loud, but praise is often delayed or forgotten.

Think about it—when something goes wrong, we complain right away. We send an email, ask to speak to a manager, or leave a one-star review. But when something goes right, we rarely take the extra step to acknowledge it.

What if we flipped that?

What if we made on-the-spot praise as natural as criticism?

In leadership, we talk a lot about accountability, high standards, and constructive feedback. And while all of those things are important, so is recognition.

The best teams are not just held accountable—they are also valued.
The best employees do not just get feedback when they mess up—they are acknowledged when they excel.
The best cultures are not built on fear of failure—they are built on confidence in effort.

And here is the key: Recognition does not have to be big or formal—it just has to be genuine.

Why Instant Praise is So Powerful

1. It Costs Nothing, But Means Everything

A simple “great job” takes less than ten seconds, but the impact can last all day. In a high-pressure, fast-paced environment, knowing your effort is seen and appreciated makes a real difference.

2. It Reinforces Excellence

People want to repeat what gets noticed. If you want more great work, recognize it. What gets praised gets repeated.

3. It Creates a Ripple Effect

Appreciation is contagious. The baristas were happy because I recognized their effort, and in turn, that moment of recognition made me feel great too.

4. It Builds Stronger Teams and Cultures

In a workplace, instant praise fosters trust, motivation, and engagement. Teams that feel appreciated work harder, collaborate better, and stay longer.

How to Make Instant Praise a Habit

1. Do Not Wait for Performance Reviews

A “great job” should not come months later in an annual review. Praise should happen in real time.

2. Be Specific

Instead of just saying “good work,” highlight what stood out. In my case, it was not just that the coffee was great—it was the enthusiasm, the confidence, and the execution.

3. Praise Effort, Not Just Outcomes

Sometimes things do not go perfectly, but when you see someone putting in the effort, going above and beyond, or staying positive in a tough situation—call it out.

4. Make Recognition Public

If you are in a leadership position, do not just praise in private. Acknowledge great work in meetings, team calls, or emails.

5. Turn It Into a Challenge

Want to build a culture of recognition? Try this: For the next seven days, give instant praise to at least one person every day. It could be a teammate, an employee, a service worker, or even a family member. Watch what happens.

Final Thought

That barista probably does not even remember me. But I will never forget that moment.

Because in those few seconds of genuine appreciation, I saw something powerful:

Recognition is fuel.
A few words of praise can change the entire energy of a room.
And in leadership (and in life), great work should never go unnoticed.

So here is my challenge to you today: Who can you recognize—right now?

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