How important is The Power of Positive Feedback?

COL Mikel J. Burroughs I learned some years ago in the military it depends entirely on the generation of soldiers you're dealing with. The younger Millennial's do not respond well to negative feedback, you can't just yell at them and PT them to do the right thing. They're community minded critical thinkers. It was much more effective to pull them aside and say "You messed up big time, here's why, don't do it again" rather then trying to smoke them and have them figure it out on their own. Otherwise you'd just end up with tired and angry soldiers who are worse off.

I couldn't agree more with SSG Carlos Madden. I'll throw in my 2 cents and add that it also depends on the individual and how they were brought up. When I was younger and poor self-esteem was an issue, positive feedback made me the freaking energizer bunny. You could get the work of 3 people out of me. Fast forward 10 years or so and you could hand me the keys to the planet and I would look at you like, 'what is this cat really trying to get me to do now? No amount of "Scooby snacks" could get me to work any better because I always tried to have the reactor pushing 100%. My idea of positive feedback meant that some obstacle in my path was removed by someone else and we could proceed full speed ahead. They finally zeroed in on those qualities and threw me into production control. It was a curse AND a blessing. All the hard work, migraines, LONG hours, but it really showed me how the big picture worked in Army aviation. We are truly in a world few people understand. So positive feedback is usually appreciated, but as individuals, we all get our positive feedback in many different capacities. Now, I'm a medically retired, out of work, workaholic. Unless someone needs help with aviation assets taking over a 3rd world, my skills lay dormant (thank God) and I spend FAR TOO MUCH time with you fine folks.

COL Mikel J. Burroughs
Of course positive feedback is important. While constructive criticism is important as it lets you know what went wrong/how you can improve, it isn't always called for.

If a person did a great job, tell them. I don't know how many "leaders" I worked for over the years who would only speak up if I fudged something up, keeping their mouths clamped shut if I did great work, exceeding expectations.