I once worked for a leader who only came to see me when there was a problem. It got to the point I dreaded him walking into my office. I don’t remember receiving a compliment or good job pat-on-the-back other than during my annual performance review.

After a while, I started wondering what I was doing wrong. I was telling myself stories about how he’s going to fire me. I even started doubting whether I was good enough for the job.

When leaders don’t acknowledge the good work people do and only focus on the problems, people start to make up problems with their work. They can’t help it as they lack the confirmation that what they’re doing is good.

Spend time every week, acknowledging those who are following you. It costs nothing and will give the best paybacks in improving what’s happening.

You’ve got this.