Manager praise: available only upon request

Don’t take it personally if your manager is a tad stingy with that praise thing…s/he can be trained.

If you’re in the market for recognition from your manager for a recent something great that you did, you may need to ask for the praise you seek. (However, don’t forget that you’re in sales…and there are no participation trophies here.)

More importantly, what do you value more from your manager: praise or constructive and specific guidance on skill improvement?

You can have both. But unfortunately – most of the time – you have to go get it.

After the next pitch meeting with your manager in tow, ask her/him to discuss your performance.

You: "What is the one thing you think I did well in that meeting?"

Hopefully, you’ll receive meaningful praise for one of the many skills you expertly applied in the meeting.

Follow it up with this question…

"What is the one thing that you think I could have done differently?"

See?

You’ve successfully transitioned from seeking and receiving praise to engaging in a conversation about your skill performance.

If you are a fan of Severance, you know that things like handshakes and hugs are "available on request".

Hopefully, you live in a warmer and more responsive environment than what is represented in this quickie 25-second ha-ha clip from season one. (BRILLIANT!)