Praise: to give or not to give? That’s the daily question faced by many of us, isn’t it? Whether lawyer to client, manager to employee, or teacher to student. And, much rests on a seemingly minor decision: a cutting remark imparts damage, a thoughtful one inspires hope, and indifferent or non-existent ones impose isolation. To paraphrase a famous Texas football coach, “I do not pass a lot because only three things can happen and two of them are bad.” Many take this mindset as an excuse    not to praise (or to say anything, resulting in the default of bland comments and insipid interaction.) They should not.

No.1: When in doubt, praise