--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: #1 Build people up by encouragement. #2…" description: "\"“#1 Build people up by encouragement. #2 Give people credit by acknowledgment. #3 Give people recognition by gratitude.”\" — John C. Maxwell" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80f/john-c-maxwell-113_build-people_1-build-people-up-by-encouragement-2-giv_458090.jpg" --- # #1 Build people up by encouragement. #2 Give people credit… ![“#1 Build people up by encouragement. #2 Give people credit by acknowledgment. #3 Give people recognition by gratitude.” quote by John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80f/john-c-maxwell-113_build-people_1-build-people-up-by-encouragement-2-giv_458090.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80f/john-c-maxwell-113_build-people_1-build-people-up-by-encouragement-2-giv_458090.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/80f/john-c-maxwell-113_build-people_1-build-people-up-by-encouragement-2-giv_458090.jpg) > ““#1 Build people up by encouragement. #2 Give people credit by acknowledgment. #3 Give people recognition by gratitude.”” [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Leadership thrives on encouragement, acknowledgment, and gratitude toward others. **In simple terms:** Encourage, acknowledge, and thank people to lead effectively. Key Takeaway Practice regular, sincere appreciation. Themes leadership recognition gratitude encouragement Mood inspirational practical Type leadership motivational When to use this quote - team meetings - performance reviews - project launches - mentorship - company culture Key Concepts organizational behavior motivation team dynamics Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance praise with constructive feedback? - What genuine actions show appreciation? A Different Perspective Over‑praising can dilute authenticity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acknowledgment People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acknowledgment-people-3983478/) [Build People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/build-people-560381/) [Encouragement People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/encouragement-people-2556956/) [People Encouragement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-encouragement-1414514/) [Recognition Gratitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/recognition-gratitude-3983479/) ## Related quotes > [If I had one message of encouragement to the people in my city, my country, and all across the world, it would be to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-waller/if-i-had-one-message-of-encouragement-to-the-people-in-my-city-my/) [Darren Waller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-waller/) > [You should show encouragement whenever you can. People try harder when they know that someone cares about them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-perkins/you-should-show-encouragement-whenever-you-can-people-try-harder-when/) [Stephanie Perkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-perkins/) > [I hope that my story, I hope that my life is... an encouragement for people, especially in Brooklyn. I feel humbled and blessed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iyanla-vanzant/i-hope-that-my-story-i-hope-that-my-life-is-an-encouragement-for/) [Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/) > [I think it's cool to give people encouragement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/avey-tare/i-think-it-s-cool-to-give-people-encouragement/) [Avey Tare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/avey-tare/) > [Remember... There are hungry people. Feed them. There are cold people. Warm them. There are sad people. Make them happy. There are discouraged people.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoya/remember-there-are-hungry-people-feed-them-there-are-cold-people-warm/) [Zoya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoya/) > [Don't depend on other people's encouragement. It's never enough and never when you need it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sigourney-weaver/don-t-depend-on-other-people-s-encouragement-it-s-never-enough-and/) [Sigourney Weaver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sigourney-weaver/) > [When you just show up where you're invited to go with a sense of humility and knowing who you serve and just sharing your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-roumie/when-you-just-show-up-where-you-re-invited-to-go-with-a-sense-of/) [Jonathan Roumie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-roumie/) > [I think it is important to build for people, and to deliver this message of hope: through good construction and a certain sense of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/santiago-calatrava/i-think-it-is-important-to-build-for-people-and-to-deliver-this/) [Santiago Calatrava](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/santiago-calatrava/) > [It's my job to build the people who are going to build the company.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-schnatter/it-s-my-job-to-build-the-people-who-are-going-to-build-the-company/) [John Schnatter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-schnatter/) > [It's interesting in American culture. We like to build people up and then push them off the pedestal, and then we want to see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-rex/it-s-interesting-in-american-culture-we-like-to-build-people-up-and/) [Simon Rex](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-rex/) > [Expect me to give up everything but never the friendship that we had build up with those people who are there before you..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/expect-me-to-give-up-everything-but-never-the-friendship-that-we-had/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If we build the people, they'll build the business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brownie-wise/if-we-build-the-people-they-ll-build-the-business/) [Brownie Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brownie-wise/) > [“Don’t use people to build the church. Use the church to build people.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecilia-chan/don-t-use-people-to-build-the-church-use-the-church-to-build-people/) [Cecilia Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecilia-chan/) > [Relationships are about two people working together to build something, not two people getting over on each other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enhance-dreams/relationships-are-about-two-people-working-together-to-build/) [Enhance Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enhance-dreams/) > [In our society, in our culture, we love to build people up. We love to build the pedestal, and we love to put 'em…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/in-our-society-in-our-culture-we-love-to-build-people-up-we-love-to/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) ## More by John C. Maxwell > [“Why do so many people do nothing? I think it’s because most of us look at the evils and injustice around us, and we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/why-do-so-many-people-do-nothing-i-think-it-s-because-most-of-us-look/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [You cannot have growth without change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/you-cannot-have-growth-without-change/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/change-is-inevitable-growth-is-optional/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Goals not only help you develop initial motivation by making your dreams obtainable, but they also help you continue to be motivated and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/goals-not-only-help-you-develop-initial-motivation-by-making-your/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Vision is a picture of a desired future; a picture of something that I don't possess right now, but it is something I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/vision-is-a-picture-of-a-desired-future-a-picture-of-something-that-i/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [If you want to make your mother happy, talk to her. If you want to make your father happy, listen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/if-you-want-to-make-your-mother-happy-talk-to-her-if-you-want-to-make/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Experiences isn't the best teacher - evaluated experience is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/experiences-isn-t-the-best-teacher-evaluated-experience-is/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [A big man is one who makes us feel bigger when we are with him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/a-big-man-is-one-who-makes-us-feel-bigger-when-we-are-with-him/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Passion gives you an advantage over others, because one person with passion is greater than ninety-nine who have only an interest!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/passion-gives-you-an-advantage-over-others-because-one-person-with/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [I thought if I was open and honest, it would help the reader to get open and honest, and they also would realize sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/i-thought-if-i-was-open-and-honest-it-would-help-the-reader-to-get/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [A person who has a dream knows what he is willing to give up in order to go up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/a-person-who-has-a-dream-knows-what-he-is-willing-to-give-up-in-order/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [The bottom line on attitude is that a good one helps to increase your possibilities. Pessimists usually get what they expect. So do optimists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/the-bottom-line-on-attitude-is-that-a-good-one-helps-to-increase-your/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Working together precedes winning together...collaboration is multiplication.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/working-together-precedes-winning-together-collaboration-is/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Leaders don't rise to the pinnacle of success without developing the right set of attitudes and habits; they make every day a masterpiece.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/leaders-don-t-rise-to-the-pinnacle-of-success-without-developing-the/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Your leadership skills determine the level of your success, and the success of those who work around you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/your-leadership-skills-determine-the-level-of-your-success-and-the/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) [Explore all 1,233 John C. Maxwell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) ## More Build People quotes > [Relationships are about two people working together to build something, not two people getting over on each other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enhance-dreams/relationships-are-about-two-people-working-together-to-build/) [Enhance Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enhance-dreams/) > [“Don’t use people to build the church. Use the church to build people.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecilia-chan/don-t-use-people-to-build-the-church-use-the-church-to-build-people/) [Cecilia Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecilia-chan/) > [If we build the people, they'll build the business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brownie-wise/if-we-build-the-people-they-ll-build-the-business/) [Brownie Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brownie-wise/) > [Expect me to give up everything but never the friendship that we had build up with those people who are there before you..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/expect-me-to-give-up-everything-but-never-the-friendship-that-we-had/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's my job to build the people who are going to build the company.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-schnatter/it-s-my-job-to-build-the-people-who-are-going-to-build-the-company/) [John Schnatter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-schnatter/) > [I think it is important to build for people, and to deliver this message of hope: through good construction and a certain sense of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/santiago-calatrava/i-think-it-is-important-to-build-for-people-and-to-deliver-this/) [Santiago Calatrava](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/santiago-calatrava/) > [In our society, in our culture, we love to build people up. We love to build the pedestal, and we love to put 'em…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/in-our-society-in-our-culture-we-love-to-build-people-up-we-love-to/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [It's interesting in American culture. We like to build people up and then push them off the pedestal, and then we want to see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-rex/it-s-interesting-in-american-culture-we-like-to-build-people-up-and/) [Simon Rex](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-rex/) > [If you want to build a business, build the people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brownie-wise/if-you-want-to-build-a-business-build-the-people/) [Brownie Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brownie-wise/) > [I'm trying to build something where people will go every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-levchin/i-m-trying-to-build-something-where-people-will-go-every-day/) [Max Levchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-levchin/) > [... together we can build the people's Church, a true Church. Not just a hierarchy, or a building, but a real change inside people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rigoberta-menchu/together-we-can-build-the-people-s-church-a-true-church-not-just-a/) [Rigoberta Menchu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rigoberta-menchu/) > [If you surround yourself with people who are trying to build, who are all willing to build other people up, they build you up!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blake-roney/if-you-surround-yourself-with-people-who-are-trying-to-build-who-are/) [Blake Roney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blake-roney/) > [The true mark of a Christian leader is trying to build up other people. Raise up other leaders!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-colson/the-true-mark-of-a-christian-leader-is-trying-to-build-up-other/) [Charles Colson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-colson/) > [I think it's important to build people up and to make people feel good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-k-subban/i-think-it-s-important-to-build-people-up-and-to-make-people-feel-good/) [P.K. Subban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-k-subban/) > [First we build people, then we build cars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fujio-cho/first-we-build-people-then-we-build-cars/) [Fujio Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fujio-cho/) [Browse all 19 Build People quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/build-people-560381/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“#1 Build people up by encouragement. #2 Give people credit by acknowledgment. #3 Give people recognition by gratitude.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John C. 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