What separates a leader people want to follow from one they just tolerate—and could it be as simple as how you say, "Great job"?

If you're like most leaders, you're juggling tasks, solving problems, and keeping your team afloat—but somewhere in the chaos, encouragement gets overlooked. And yet, your team is craving it. This episode dives into a surprisingly powerful leadership skill that could be the key to unlocking energy, productivity, and loyalty: meaningful encouragement.

Here’s what you’ll walk away with:

A simple framework to deliver praise that actually fuels performance (no fluff or empty cheerleading).
Smart ways to tailor encouragement so it lands personally and powerfully with each team member.
The one critical mistake most leaders make when trying to recognize effort—and how to avoid it.

Press play now to learn how to become the kind of leader people don’t just work for—but want to follow.

Check out:

⏱️ [03:25] — Why Talented Employees Leave

Hear the eye-opening story of Jennifer, a high-potential manager who quit because she never heard a word of encouragement—only criticism. It’s a powerful example of how silence can sabotage retention.

⏱️ [07:34] — What Makes Encouragement Meaningful

Discover how one leader personalized his approach to recognition—and why a plaque or public shout-out might backfire for some team members. This segment teaches you how to actually make people feel seen.

⏱️ [12:34] — Encouraging the Right Things the Right Way

Learn the critical mistake leaders make when they praise outcomes but ignore how the results were achieved. This section explains how to align encouragement with your values and team culture.

Leadership Without Using Your Soul podcast offers insightful discussions on leadership and management, focusing on essential communication skills, productivity, teamwork, delegation, and feedback to help leaders navigate various leadership styles, management styles, conflict resolution, time management, and active listening while addressing challenges like overwhelm, burnout, work-life balance, and problem-solving in both online and in-person teams, all aimed at cultivating human-centered leadership qualities that promote growth and success.

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#359: The Curse of Knowledge