Catch people doing right and watch them shine

Remember the teacher who made your day by saying, “You nailed that project!” That rush of pride? Imagine bringing that to work every day. When Sam noticed Tanya staying late to help a stressed coworker, he didn’t just nod. He fired off a quick note to the team: “Shout-out to Tanya for saving our deadline!”

The next morning Tanya glowed, and others were on the lookout for wins of their own. Now, every week Sam checks his “praise list” before meetings—each note a spark of good will. Social psychologists call this the “spotlight effect”: people shine brightest when they know they’re noticed.

Sam’s 30-second habit transformed his department. Projects sped up, smiles spread, and productivity climbed 15%. He wasn’t fixing phones or fixing spreadsheets—he was reinforcing strengths.

When you cue attention to what’s going right, you wire the team for positivity. Remember: praise isn’t about flattery. It’s about anchoring behavior to the big picture.

Tomorrow, jot down one strength you spot in a teammate. Fire them a quick note within the hour, then celebrate it in your next check-in. Watching someone’s face light up—that’s the spark you’re igniting. Give it a try.