The Quiet Cost of Skipping Praise

Author

Danny Bauer
May 15, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes

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👋 Hey Ruckus Maker,

I posted one question inside the Lounge last week:

"Who on your team has grown the most this semester — and haven’t you told them?"

Within the first minute of posting two leaders answered.

And both admitted something most school leaders feel but rarely say out loud:

“I’ve noticed growth. I just haven’t said anything.”
“I’ve got some work to do on that.”

This is a missed opportunity.

Last Monday I was coaching a school leader in Chicago. He wants to focus more on culture next year and is concerned because his team isn’t coming to him when they need support.

In other words, he finds out about problems when it’s too late versus …

Having his team proactively say, “I’m stuck” so they can figure things out before it’s too late.

Believe it or not, this is also a culture / celebration issue.

Why Your Team Isn’t Talking to You

You set high expectations. That’s good.

But when praise disappears — when growth is never acknowledged — your team learns something dangerous:

“You only hear from me when I’m behind.”

Over time, silence becomes safer than feedback.

  • People don’t share ideas.

  • They don’t admit when they’re stuck.

  • They avoid tough conversations and start hiding behind “I’m fine.”

And all of that is preventable with one simple habit:

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