When your coworker does great work, tell their manager (2020) • Hacker News Board

Post by sequoia » Mon, Sep 11, 2023, 7:10 PM UTC

mulmen wrote: post #366

sequoia wrote: post #349

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A couple reasons: Some people are excessively modest to the point of self-sabotage & will discourage you from providing deserved praise because they see it as boasting. Also, asking is another step and creates more friction in providing positive feedback. Given that this is something people already don't do, if you're trying to encourage the behaviour it should be made as easy as possible. There will be some people w…

So you think you know better than the people work with. I’m not interested in working people like you. Treat your coworkers with respect, not contempt. Your intentions don’t matter. The perception and consequences of your actions do.

Since this argument has somehow become personal, Mr/Ms Internet Stranger, I'd encourage you consider how frequently you give positive feedback to colleagues & peers that their manager could see (i.e. "on the record"). When was the last time you've done it? How frequently have you done so in the past 6 months? For me the answers to these questions are "this morning" and "at least a dozen times."

Given your extreme sensitivity to the possible damage of giving positive feedback, I am guessing you rarely engage in this "risky" behaviour. Am I wrong? If not, I don't plan to take advice on giving positive feedback from "the person who rarely gives positive feedback."

I sleep quite soundly knowing that when someone does me a good turn I give them positive feedback "on the record."