Avoiding Common Praise Pitfalls

Several common mistakes in offering praise can undermine its effectiveness and lead to negative outcomes. Praising unchangeable traits, such as intelligence or beauty, can foster a fixed mindset, making individuals avoid situations where they might not excel, whereas highlighting attributes they can control, such as discipline or kindness, cultivates resilience. Moreover, over-praising or comparing individuals to others can create pressure and diminish motivation, as people may feel they can never meet the high standards set or feel inadequate compared to their peers. To foster healthy self-esteem and personal growth, it is crucial to provide sincere, balanced, and context-aware praise that emphasizes the process and individual effort.