By Brad Montgomery, CSDA Annual Conference & Exhibitor Showcase Keynote Speaker
Not long ago, I was speaking to a group of engineers. I asked, “Who’s gotten a genuine compliment at work this week?” Crickets. One manager finally stood and thanked her colleague for calmly solving a crisis. You could feel the shift in the room. That simple act of recognition changed the entire energy. And it reminded me: encouragement is a game-changer.
Encouragement = Strategy
Encouragement as a business tactic is the low-hanging fruit when it comes to improving performance.
Encouragement isn’t fluff—it’s a serious business tool. Gallup tells us employees who feel recognized are more productive and less likely to quit. McKinsey found that over half of employees who quit their jobs did so because they didn’t feel valued. The ROI? Huge. Encouragement fuels performance, retention, morale, and even accuracy. It’s a soft skill with hard impact.
It doesn’t take a fancy budget, a major policy shift, or an app. What it takes is intention. Encouragement is a strategy that’s available to every leader, every day. The question isn’t can we use it—the question is will we?
Three Core Truths About Encouragement
- We all crave it. Everyone wants to feel seen and significant. When leaders meet that need, people do better work—period. In my keynotes, I often ask audiences to think of a moment when they felt appreciated. Their expressions change instantly. They sit up straighter. They smile. Because we all have that memory tucked away: a boss who noticed our extra effort, a colleague who said thank you at just the right time. It’s human nature. We’re wired for belonging.
- It helps the giver too. Studies show that giving praise lifts the mood and engagement of the encourager as much as the recipient. In other words, encouragement isn’t just good for your team—it’s good for you. It builds connection, trust, and momentum. It turns “managers” into leaders. When you start noticing the good in others, your entire perspective shifts. It’s a leadership move that pays off in both directions.
- We underestimate its impact. We assume people don’t notice or don’t care—but science says otherwise. Small gestures have big influence. We are more influential than we think. I once coached a supervisor who told me, “I don’t say much—I figure if they’re not hearing from me, it means they’re doing fine.” But when she tried offering just a few words of encouragement each day—nothing fancy, just noticing effort—her team started performing at a higher level. Not because their skills changed, but because their motivation did.
How Leaders Can Use It
- Make encouragement a daily habit. A quick “Great job on that call” or “I noticed your improvement” goes a long way. It doesn’t need to be a TED Talk. In fact, short and specific is often more effective. “I saw how you handled that tough client—really professional under pressure.” That takes 10 seconds. But the impact lasts way longer.
- Celebrate progress, not just perfection. Point out effort and growth, not just wins. That means noticing the intern who’s learning fast. The team member who spoke up even though they’re shy. The manager who kept the project on track. Perfection is rare. Progress is everywhere—if you’re looking for it.
- Talk about it in your meetings. Ask: “Are our teams feeling seen?” If not, start there. Too often we wait for annual reviews or official awards. But the best time to recognize someone is… right now. Encourage your team to share wins with each other. Make celebration part of your culture—not just something you do when there’s cake.
Final Thought
Encouragement isn’t a warm fuzzy—it’s a performance tool. It changes people. It changes teams. It changes numbers. And it starts with you. So go ahead: compliment someone today. Be intentional. Be specific. Be strategic! And above all, be generous with your words. You’ll be shocked how far they travel. One more thing: if this feels simple, that’s because it is. But simple doesn’t mean insignificant. In a world of KPIs, quarterly goals, and bottom lines, the most transformative tool you have might just be the words, “I see you, and you’re doing great.”
Encouragement is free. It’s fast. It’s powerful. And it’s waiting for you to use it.
Brad Montgomery is a business keynote speaker who teaches organizations how to harness encouragement to boost performance. (Oh, and his audiences think he’s really funny.) He will be the keynote speaker on Wednesday, August 29 at the CSDA Annual Conference & Exhibitor Showcase in Monterey. CSDA would like to thank our Alliance Partner, the Special District Risk Management Authority, for being the keynote sponsor for this address.
Learn more about Brad Montgomery at bradmontgomery.com.