What does effective praise specifically recognize?

Effective praise specifically recognizes the specific strategy, process, or behavior that led to the good outcome because it provides clear, constructive feedback that allows the individual to understand what actions or decisions contributed to their success. This type of recognition not only reinforces the valued behaviors but also encourages future application of those strategies.

When praise is focused on the specific actions taken, it helps the recipient identify the effective components of their approach, fostering self-awareness and resilience. They can replicate these successful behaviors in future situations, thereby promoting continuous improvement and learning.

In contrast, recognizing a person's qualities and traits can be less helpful in guiding future behavior since it does not give insights into actionable steps. Similarly, commending a good outcome without detailing how it was achieved or focusing on overall effort without specifics lacks the clarity needed for the individual to understand which methods were effective.