The power of Praise for successful Living and significant Leading 

"CHILDREN LEARN WHAT THEY LIVE" BY DOROTHY LAW NOLTE

"If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn. If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight. If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy. If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty. If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient. If a child lives with encouragement, he learns confidence. If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate. If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice. If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith. If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself. If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, he learns to find love in the world."

SOWING YOUR WAY TO QUALITY LEADERSHIP 

This powerful poem written by Dorothy Law Nolte simplifies the assets of quality leadership. According to Nolte, high quality leadership practices are based on tolerance, encouragement, praise, fairness, security, approval, and acceptance. The catchy adage that states that while "God does indeed control the growing, we are still responsible for the sowing" rings true and proves itself time after time again. To increase the quality of our leadership behaviors, we need to intentionally and proactively create a positive atmosphere where faith, hope, and love triumphs. 

SOW ENCOURAGEMENT TO GROW CONFIDENCE 

To create an atmosphere of faith, hope, and love, high quality leaders need to sow the seeds of tolerance. In turn, God will bless us and the world with a harvest of patience. When we faithfully sow the seeds of encouragement, an hopeful atmosphere of confidence is about to be harvested. Encouragement is fuel of inspiration and energy to both core leaders and followers alike. Plainly put: People, by and large, love encouragement. Encouragement has shown to drive performance and overall life satisfaction. Last but not least, higher levels of perceived life satisfaction lead to fostering an attractive team environment and healthy culture of trust, collaboration, and care.

GIVE THE ULTIMATE GIFT OF PRAISE AWAY TO OTHERS

Many well-educated, hard working, and compassionate professionals from all walks of life would rather choose to work on a team with a healthy culture of faith, hope, and love rather than a toxic team culture of apathy, pessimism, and condescension. To build a healthy team, we need to use the raw materials of honest praise. A leader who praises often build leaders and followers who appreciate the good. They feel a sense of approval, belonging, or love. Love is the ultimate gift every positive leader who is building an eternal legacy of faith, hope, and love is joyfully responsible to protect, give away, and multiply for a better world with stronger morals and good values.     

WORKS CITED

Bethel Park School District. “Children Learn What They Live.” BPSD (Bethel Park School District), Dorothy Law Nolte, www.bpsd.org/Downloads/Children%20Learn%20What%20They%20Live.pdf. Accessed 30 Nov. 2023.

Typorama. “Stock Images” Typorama, Typorama Application. 01/14/2024. 

ABOUT

Pascal and Lindsey Weber are the Owners of Kingdom Enterprises specializing in leadership and business development. Pascal completed his M.A. in Leadership Studies at the University of San Diego and Lindsey obtained her M.A. in Education and ESOL from Salisbury University. Both credentialed educators and practicing entrepreneurs are passionate about loving God, inspiring personal breakthroughs, and leading positive impact. Lindsey is an esteemed Education Specialist and decorated former NCAA DIII athlete. Pascal’s professional contributions to Education and Entrepreneurship are inspired by #1 leadership expert Dr. John C. Maxwell. Today, Pascal and Lindsey live with their two sons in San Diego, California.