Programs to raise self-esteem, according to a study cited in the April 18, 2003 Wall Street Journal, "fall woefully, even comically, short." The study had a professor send weekly review questions in emails to his students who failed their first exam. One third of the students received an encouraging note suggesting that they study and that passing was in their control. Another third received the review questions, plus a self-esteem booster, in words such as, "You're too smart to get a D."
According to the article, "Compared with the other email recipients, the D and F students who got the self-esteem injection performed notably worse on later tests."
How does this translate to the workplace? Forget most of what you thought you knew about self-esteem. Praise people only when they have really achieved a goal. Give no false praise to encourage the worker along. Help people achieve, but if George did most of the work, and you know it, don't praise the team. The truth is, they know anyway. Your false praise just makes you look stupid ... or uninformed ... or fake.
I think this topic may warrant a whole article. Coming soon at a website near you ...
You'll need a subscription to the Wall Street Journal to access the link, which is not yet in their archive. I'll check back.
Real Self Esteem Builds on Achievement, not Praise for Slackers
Warmly,
Susan
5:48:45 PM
No Self-esteem Boost for False Praise 
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