A number of
years ago I was called into a job. The computer network was going nuts and unusable,
other specialists had failed to find the fault. After a number of hours, I was
able to locate the cause. I wandered off to management and told them everything
was fine. It was during a staff meeting. The whole room erupted in applause and
thanks.
20 years
later I still remember that horrific moment.
I love praise
but moments like that terrify me. Even someone close to me, I have zero clue
how to react. I spent so many years with so little praise it’s a foreign thing
to me. But I love it even still.
So, what do
you do with someone who loves praise but has a problem with it? I had to sit
down and think about it for a bit and the answer is fairly simple. Keep doing
it, but low key. Also do it in a way that does not solicit a response.
For
example, if they cook dinner, walk out with the plates, “that was great” as you
walk out.
Maybe they
buy you a favorite food. “wooo, I love these” as you tuck into it.
Staring at
them “wow, you are the greatest, I love you so much” is eliciting a response and
it becomes awkward.
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