Can it be possible that we’re so afraid of hurting feelings these days that we’re not telling the truth?  Some businesses continue to thrive in this economy but are seeing the demise of internal-promotability of employees.  Why is this happening if business is doing well?

Maybe it’s because there are hundreds, maybe thousands, of books out there that tell us that the way to motivate people is to say thank you all day long – even if the work delivered wasn’t that great.  We’ve seen average work become the standard and the idea of “stretching” is focused on doing less than average – no longer fighting to be better than average.

You can see it how accepting Americans are of their political choices – there really aren’t great people to vote for.  You can see it in schools and sports – there are still pass/fail schools out there and the level of entitlement – instead of promotion – puts average and even less than average kids, teachers, everyone in positions of recognition.

In the work world, “great job” is a phrase that is used too often and not even connected to an actual result – it’s now given just for showing up, or for not being mad at your boss.  It gets even worse when what is delivered is so bad, so poor, and employers can’t even comment on it because the employee will whimper on their way to the HR department and complain about harassment.

It’s all fake – and it’s getting worse, not better.  It’s to the point that if you don’t offer false congrats like everyone else, that you’re seen as evil and mean.

Back slapping should be for dislodging food stuck in someone’s throat – not for recognition.