I PLAYED A TRICK ON MY KID. HERE’S WHAT HAPPENED.

So, a couple of things about me. I am a family man. Very proud of my four kids.

While I work with a wide range of aspiring leaders in a range of different contexts, I am always mindful that my number one leadership job is to be the best father possible. I’m not perfect by a long shot, but I am very committed to being the best I can.

I am pretty hands on with my youngest two. This week I was helping Tully (the toothy one in the middle) with her Grade 1 reading. She is an excellent reader and the book she bought home was what I thought to be way beyond Grade 1. She was going OK, but I played a trick, albeit a daggy Dad trick.

I feigned amazement that here she was in Grade 1 but reading a book that could easily have been for Grade 6 kids. I pumped her tyres. I praised her for trying hard. I told her that I didn’t believe it was possible that she was reading that well.

Within seconds, her reading went to another level. Whenever she got to a challenging word, she stopped me from helping her, sounded it out, and (mostly) got the word right. She simply believed in herself more and her performance lifted.

As leaders we have the same opportunity to build self confidence and self belief in our people. Of course it should be authentic and genuine. People will believe in themselves if you believe in them first.

Praise and recognition cost nothing, but are powerful motivating forces in the workplace.

Who can you praise this week?