Are You Addicted to Praise?

Getting too much positive reinforcement can be crippling if constant praise is necessary for you to perform well. Employers want self-motivators who find new ways to create value for the company, and waiting around for rewards and recognition may prevent you from taking initiative. Keep your career on the right track by finding out what motivates you and overcoming an unhealthy pursuit of praise.

The Limits of External Motivation

Praise can be an effective way to let employees know they are making good choices and meeting the company's performance standards, but it shouldn't be the only reason to stay engaged at work. Similar to a bribe, rewards are a form of external motivation that can condition you to behave in a specific way, says author and lecturer Alfie Kohn. This conditioning often begins in early childhood with gold stars, grades and trophies, which may cause you to expect positive reinforcement and depend on it for success.

People who obsessively seek out positive reinforcement can develop regressive behavior, only choosing to make an effort when they know the rewards for good performance, suggests Kohn. Conditional motivation is a major hindrance in work environments where employers offer merit-based promotions or incentives to workers who show their value by exceeding their current roles. To move up the career ladder, you must be willing to take action without the promise of a reward.

Dangers of Excessive Praise

From a professional standpoint, a praise addiction can drive you to form connections with people who build your ego and avoid those who give honest opinions. Many praise addicts struggle with receiving constructive criticism, resent losing out on opportunities to grow and are resistant to learning from their most knowledgeable and influential colleagues at work.

If your self-esteem is largely dependent on positive reinforcement, you may also feel frustrated and unappreciated whenever co-workers earn rewards and recognition. Harboring pent-up jealousy makes it difficult to contribute to a team and build productive professional relationships. It can also trigger a destructive work ethic in which you give the bare minimum until you receive the praise you expect. In the worst scenarios, praise addicts experience constant highs and lows, as each short-term confidence boost wears off.

Tips for Self-Motivation

While it's normal to value positive reinforcement, being internally motivated to work hard can help you avoid disengaging from your job. Instead of asking bosses and mentors how well you performed, ask how you can improve your work habits or create a better end product, says productivity expert Laura Vanderkam. At the same time, eliminate the need for external praise by setting personal goals and standards. Whether it's learning a new skill or saving money for the company, those personal accomplishments build your self-worth and encourage you to take on more challenges. More importantly, company leaders take notice of your ambition and professional strengths.

By spending more time with colleagues who offer beneficial constructive criticism, you can continually expand your professional range and make a good impression at work. Treat positive reinforcement as a bonus for great work while letting your sense of professional pride and accomplishment motivate you to give your best effort every day.

Photo courtesy of Sira Anamwong at FreeDigitalPhotos.net