Respectfully, I'm on the other side on this issue. I work with folks who must do good work, even though their attitude and motivation may push them towards something less acceptable. I had to shut down a concrete placement just this afternoon where poor planning and poor workmanship would have made the finished product unacceptable. The contractor lost close to $1,000 in concrete.
OTOH, I am very quick to compliment workers when they do a professional job. Once appreciation is shown... for work that should be done correctly anyway... I've seen total attitude changes in workers.
I stay in hotels between 100 and 150 nights/year. I am a reviewer for the Trip Advisor site. I also get e-mails from the various hotel chains, after I stay, asking for reviews. More of my reviews have been positive than negative. Too many are quick to point out the bad, while no one seems to take time to pass out a compliment. Hotel staff should do good work. That's what they are hired to do. Yet, it can be a thankless, minimum wage job. A pat on the back can go a long ways to putting a smile on someone's face.
The "good job" to on-scene news reporters should not simply be an acknowledgement after every report. Yet, to be on the scene reporting when a baby has been beaten to death and not end your report with "I hope the pathetic SOB hangs!" should probably be acknowledged. To be an on-scene reporter where a family has lost their life in a tragic auto accident and be able to give facts without breaking into tears should probably be acknowledged.
