We had a big client meeting today where we met with the general counsel of a Fortune 500 company. The guy is a friend of boss man, and boss man has been trying to get work from this guy for years. Before the meeting, my assignment was to write a memo for the GC so as to lure him into our office for a proper meeting. I was super nervous for the meeting, since that memo apparently made me the expert and I knew I was expected to field questions. Literally, I was shaking before the meeting. Surprisingly, it went really well! Not trying to brag, but I must admit I did a pretty good job. Ha.
After the meeting, boss man called me into his office and told me I did well and that he was impressed. It was kind of a validating/euphoric moment. This is a guy who is usually a debbie downer. A praise like this does not come easy. I tried to play it cool but I was honestly SO HAPPY. Haha. I know I'm being kind of lame for caring so much of what he thinks, but I can't help myself. He probably has no idea how much that one, off-handed comment meant to me. For the rest of the night, even when he gave me urgent work at 7pm, I was pumped.
It's crazy how praise can affect someone so much. I think, when given appropriately, can be so much more effective at fueling improvement than criticism. It's a dose of self-confidence that we all need from time to time. I want to remember today, and remind myself to praise the people around me. We all work hard and damnit we deserve some praise.
