Verbal feedback is a great way for bosses and team leaders to demonstrate their appreciation and encourage their employees. When used correctly, this kind of feedback not only boosts morale but also creates an atmosphere where employees feel valued, respected, and encouraged. If using words to affirm your employees does not come naturally to you, you are not alone. The good news is that giving verbal feedback is a skill you can develop over time that will benefit you as a leader and everyone around you. Read on to learn more about when to give positive feedback and what to say to open hearts and minds.

Praise Achievements
Everyone appreciates recognition for a job well done, and your employees are no different. If someone has done an outstanding job on a project, acknowledge their effort and outcome. Praise is especially meaningful when workers have encountered unforeseen obstacles, difficult clients, or delays. When it comes to what to say, be specific. Inc. contributor and founder of Leadership from the Core, Marcel Schwantes provides these inspirational examples:
“I understand that analyzing the vast amount of data for our presentation was a difficult and time-consuming task. You did a remarkable job interpreting the results in a way everyone could comprehend.”
“I cannot express how much your extra mentoring efforts for the new employees have impacted the entire team. They were able to hit the ground running quickly due to your help during their crucial first three months with the company. The whole team has exceeded its productivity as a result.”

Commend the Person, not Just the Performance
Recognition is essential and can be given in a variety of ways. Bonuses, raises, and promotions are all ways to recognize someone’s exceptional performance, but surprisingly they can leave some employees feeling less satisfied with their jobs. According to research conducted by the London School of Economics, financial rewards can actually have a negative impact when it comes to motivating employees. An analysis of 51 experiments showed that monetary compensation may reduce an individual’s drive to accomplish a task, as well as diminish their enjoyment of doing so.

An exciting aspect of positive feedback is that it motivates individuals differently.
According to Harvard Business Review, recognition should go beyond performance and extend into appreciation, which acknowledges a person not just for what they have done but for who they are. When giving verbal appreciation, focus on comments that encompass an employee’s special traits and talents, such as dedication, collaboration, and leadership. Schwantes provides these examples when it comes to providing praise based on leadership qualities:
“Your positive and optimistic attitude on Monday mornings has significantly impacted the team. They eagerly anticipate Mondays and feed off your positive energy throughout the week. This has spread to other teams as well.”
“How you handled last week’s crisis with your calm, composed, and self-assured demeanor was a game changer. Instead of people panicking and blaming each other, your attitude helped the team focus on finding solutions for the client and fixing the process to prevent similar issues in the future. You were instrumental in saving the company from losing one of its best clients.” Schwantes also recommends that leaders use their words of encouragement to help workers feel secure. Job security is always a top concern for employees. When leaders affirm an individual’s place and future in the company, they offer more than compliments but peace of mind.

The Takeaway: Notice & Take Action
Giving praise that encompasses performance, personality, and someone’s place in the company are all great ways to practice words of affirmation. Take inspiration from Schwantes and customize his ideas to fit your observations and employees. And remember: a thoughtful email or note from a boss will go a long way in making someone feel seen, recognized, and appreciated.

The concept of a “workplace” has evolved significantly over the past three years. Remote offices and hybrid work models have disrupted the organic social interactions that once unfolded effortlessly around the water cooler. Employers have also recognized that offering remote working options not only attracts top talent but also grapples with the challenge of enticing employees back to the physical office full-time.
Regardless of whether your workplace is completely remote, fully in-office, or somewhere in between, there is an undeniable magic that occurs when employees come together in person. After all, workers are human beings, and as humans, we possess an innate need for social connection. Continue reading to explore how you can effectively harness your employees’ social needs and foster meaningful connections.
The Importance of Social Connections
Many individuals who work from home miss the social connections that come with working in an office environment. However, simply returning to the office to spend the entire day responding to emails and joining Zoom calls can dampen their enthusiasm. If managers can find opportunities for team collaboration and foster connections, employees are more likely to feel energized and eager to return to the office.
In a Harvard Business Review article, employees listed the following as top reasons to return to the workplace:
• 85% of employees would be motivated to go into the office to rebuild team bonds.
• 84% of employees would be motivated to go into the office if they could socialize with coworkers.
• 74% of employees would go to the office more frequently if they knew their “work friends” were there.
• 73% of employees would go to the office more frequently if they knew their direct team members would be there.
Humans are inherently social beings, and it is no surprise that the top motivator for in-person work includes other people. Workplace satisfaction experts agree that the days of simply punching the clock are over for modern employees. Work should provide a sense of purpose and a feeling of belonging to something greater than oneself, and tapping into team-building and relationships is a great way to do just that.
Workplace Social Time Goes a Long Way
Employees who have grown accustomed to zero commute time and flexible schedules may require more persuasion when it comes to returning to the office. To encourage employees’ desire to be in the office, Sammi Caramela, a contributor to the US Chamber of Commerce, proposes five compelling incentives. These include setting clear expectations, maintaining consistent communication, accommodating family and illness situations, and fostering a workplace culture that values genuine human connections.
Caramela promotes a workplace culture that values social connections and prioritizes employee well-being. This includes integrating activities like team lunches, office birthday celebrations, and casual Friday treats such as bagels and fruit. In addition, Caramela recognizes the importance of granting employees autonomy in determining when they need a break. Whether it’s enjoying lunch at a favorite restaurant or finding solace in a book in the office lounge, these breaks contribute to overall well-being.
Encouraging walks, exercise classes, and empowering employees with more control over their work day will combat afternoon fatigue, improve productivity, even strengthen the immune system. Employers can leverage this opportunity to create a supportive work environment, offsetting the drawbacks of remote working such as distractions and imbalanced work days. Prioritizing rest and movement at work can help workplaces excel amidst the unique demands of work from home.
The Hybrid Work Model Is Likely Here to Stay
Not everyone finds motivation through socializing, and some employees get enough social interaction outside of work. Employers can attract and retain exceptional workers by embracing this trend. By fostering an inviting in-person work environment and allowing remote work flexibility, everyone can feel connected and purposeful in their roles. The key is to enrich the in-office workday while remaining adaptable to the changing landscape of work and the needs of the modern workforce.

Telling a story is one of the oldest ways humans have of connecting with each other. When it comes to your business, how you share personal stories in public spaces such as social media matters. Recounting life lessons or turning points can inspire and uplift your audience. However, sharing your deepest or darkest experiences with an audience that encompasses long-time friends, employees, clients, and industry partners can negatively affect your business. So, how do you know which stories inspire trust and build your brand and which to avoid?

Your Mission is Personal
A personal story is different from a ‘confessional’ story. And this distinction can help you separate what goes too far from what supports your business goals. For example, an inspiring story about overcoming an injury to win your college track competition is great, but if the focus is on your college awards or the fascinating details of your surgery it may come across as self-absorbed or out of touch. On the other hand, when you connect overcoming obstacles to your company’s values or even your reason for being, it works toward creating a positive image of your business and shines a spotlight on your company’s mission.
Social media is a busy place and most consumers are there for deals and entertainment. Ensuring your content connects sends a clear message to your customers: you can trust me with your time.
Hubspot’s guide to business storytelling is a great resource for telling more engaging stories. They advise keeping the following points in mind to keep your stories—even personal ones—on target.
• Captivating stories keeps the reader engaged and invested.
• Plausible tales create a believable version of reality for the reader.
• Educational pieces encourage curiosity and further knowledge.
• Relatable content connects readers with familiar people and places.
• Memorable stories use humor, inspiration, and even shock.

Use Stories to Reveal Lessons
The best leaders share personal stories that inspire and reveal lessons about how they overcame obstacles and achieved success. Richard Branson does this well in his recent Master Class, where he describes his battle with dyslexia which effectively blocked his formal education. He turned this personal setback into a positive learning experience by sharing how his ability to collaborate, delegate, and see the world in a unique way helped build his business empire. The implied lesson to his audience is that your perceived weakness can become a strength when you adapt a new mindset. Branson’s course is called “Disruptive Entrepreneurship,” which makes his personal story perfectly aligned. This connection is important because now his dyslexia is more than a confession but a source of inspiration.

Get Personal with Customer Stories
Not every story needs to be about yourself or even your team. Your customer’s lives are a great source of inspiration. Get strategic when you share stories that correspond to your customer avatars. Sometimes customers will voluntarily share their story with you, but expect to devote intentional time following up with customers. Use these tips, provided by Forbes’ contributor Stephanie Burns, to collect compelling testimonials and tell better success stories.

1. Make sure to ask the right questions. Instead of ‘Would you recommend me to a friend or family,’ try asking ‘How is your life better now that we’ve worked together?’
2. When a client sends an email telling you about their success or posts a rave review online, follow up. Set up a time to ask more questions and gather details for your story.
3. Don’t wait until the end of the process. Let your audience experience what it’s like to work with you by chronicling the customer journey in real time.

The Takeaway
Telling personal stories can be a great way to humanize your brand and connect with your customers. When you ensure your stories support your business’s goals and connect with your audience, you’ll become known for what makes your business special and attracts your ideal clients.