There is nothing else that so kills the ambitions of a…
“There is nothing else that so kills the ambitions of a person as criticisms from superiors. I never criticize anyone. I believe in giving a person incentive to work. So I am anxious to praise but loath to find fault. . . . I have yet to find a person, however great or exalted his station, who did not do better work and put forth greater effort under a spirit of approval than he would ever do under a spirit of criticism.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Positive reinforcement boosts performance more than criticism; approval encourages effort and improvement.
In simple terms: Praise works better than criticism.
Use approval to motivate.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- team management
- coaching
- employee reviews
- organizational culture
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you blend praise with helpful critique?
- When is criticism necessary?
Some individuals respond better to constructive critique.