When was the last time you received encouragement from your manager regarding a difficult assignment? I frequently ask this question in my workshops and speeches. The number of positive responses is surprising small and disappointing. As a professional coach, I view encouragement as a powerful tool in raising organizational performance. In your role as a manager and leader, there are numerous situations where encouragement can sustain motivation, mend fractured relationships and help people recover from disappointments. Some of these opportunities occur when:

• The budget doesn't provide the salary increase that an individual deserves. Consider stopping by the person's office, a few days after the salary discussion, to reinforce the employee's unique value to the organization.

• An important presentation by an employee does not go well. Take time to meet with this person to put the incident into perspective.

• One of your direct reports is passed over for an internal position. Meet with the person to identify the lessons learned from this experience. Encourage him or her to plan for other opportunities that may become available in the future.

Look for opportunities like these to renew the motivation and energy of the people you manage. Who could you send an e-mail, written note, telephone call or visit today with words of encouragement? Take the time to encourage someone today and watch for the impact you make in that person's life.

Recommended Reading:

The Positive Power of Praising People by Jerry D. Twentier, Thomas Nelson, Inc, 1994 Available from Barnes & Noble at www.barnesnoble.com. This book is a good resource for those who want additional information on applying this months Coaching Tip on giving encouragement. Jerry Twentier offers advice on motivating others, praise versus criticism, improving morale and productivity.

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