The bad news is that ignoring the performance of people is…
“The bad news is that ignoring the performance of people is almost as bad as shredding their effort in front of their eyes. Ignoring gets you a whole way out there. The good news is that by simply looking at something that somebody has done, scanning it and saying "Uh huh," that seems to be quite sufficient to dramatically improve people's motivations.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Simple acknowledgment of effort boosts motivation dramatically.
In simple terms: A quick "uh huh" can greatly increase motivation.
Key Takeaway
Give brief, sincere feedback to motivate others.
Themes
motivation
recognition
feedback
performance
psychology
Mood
encouraging
optimistic
practical
Type
business
educational
When to use this quote
- workplace meetings
- classroom settings
- sports coaching
- volunteer coordination
- online communities
Key Concepts
positive reinforcement
social validation
effort appreciation
Questions to Reflect On
- How can feedback be both brief and genuine?
- What other low‑effort actions improve motivation?
A Different Perspective
Superficial praise may feel insincere.