[vvanders]

Fear and a scarcity mindset, many people treat things as a zero-sum game when in practice the sum is usually greater than the individual parts.

The advice in the article is great, and much of it resonates with what I have seen over my career as well.

[closewith]

Praise is only valuable when scarce.

US-style "great job" praise for fulfilling basic tasks devalues actual positive feedback and should be avoided.

Failing to acknowledge actual great work is also detrimental.

There's a balancing act and it's hard to get right. It also depends on the person.

[silvestrov]

I would say: Praise is only valuable when honest (rather than scarce).

Praise should not be seen as "money": the problem is not the amount.

Praise should be seen as a feedback tool, i.e. getting to know the truth of how valuable the work is. Feedback without honesty is not usable.