Ep 156: Giving Positive Feedback

Most of us are much more practiced at pointing out what’s not working than naming what is. And even when we do give positive feedback, we often keep it vague: “You did great.” “That was awesome.” “Nice job.”In this episode, we explore why specific positive feedback is one of the most powerful tools we have—for leadership, parenting, relationships, teamwork, and personal growth—and why it’s so often underused.I break down how generic praise feels good in the moment but doesn’t actually help people grow, while specific feedback builds confidence, clarity, and trust. It teaches people what to keep doing, not just what to avoid.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy the brain needs specificity to learn and repeat behaviorsThe difference between empty praise and meaningful, growth-producing feedbackHow specific positive feedback builds psychological safety and motivationWhy this skill is essential for leaders, partners, parents, and collaborators10 Simple prompts to help you look for and give feedback that actually lands and sticksReal-life applications in parenting, partnership, and team cultureWe also talk about how specific positive feedback helps counter self-doubt—both in ourselves and others. When people know exactly what they did well and why it mattered, they don’t have to guess. That clarity creates momentum.And here’s the quiet power of this practice: when you learn to give specific positive feedback outwardly, you also start doing it internally. You become better at recognizing your own progress, effort, and growth—rather than only tracking what still needs fixing.Whether it’s a colleague, a partner, a child—or yourself—this small shift can radically improve connection, confidence, and results.Mentioned in this episode:Look How Far You’ve Come: EP Leadership and communication tools from The Bloom RoomHow to connect with Marie:On the Web | The Local BloomInstagram: @the.bloom.coachAll Things Marie on LinkTreeJOIN THE BLOOM ROOM!We'll take all these ideas and apply them to our lives. Follow me on Instagram at @the.bloom.coach to learn more and snag a spot in my group coaching program!