If you’re raising kids, then you may be surprised to discover that praise for intelligence can undermine children’s motivation and performance.
Essentially praise for effort is a better bet (I can see you trying hard), and encourages people to try harder. But telling them they’re smart seems to be counter-productive. Kids who are praised for intelligence choose easier challenges, and even lie more.
I have an inkling that this may carry over into the real world of work too – are you praising your employees for their effort, their results, or “who they are” when they do well?
