It is always better to praise people for their effort, not their talent. — Angela Duckworth

It is always better to praise people for their effort, not their talent.

Author: Angela Duckworth

Insight: When we tell someone they're "naturally gifted," we actually set them up to avoid challenges. The moment things get hard, they think, "Well, I guess I'm not that talented after all," and they quit. But when we praise effort—the hours spent practicing, the strategy they tried, the way they bounced back after failing—we're telling them that struggle is where growth happens. That's the whole game right there. This matters in every corner of life. Parents who praise effort raise kids willing to tackle difficult subjects instead of hiding from them. Managers who recognize the work someone put in, not just the result, get employees who take bigger risks and innovate. Even in your own head, when you catch yourself doing something well, the question becomes: Do you chalk it up to luck or talent you happened to have, or do you own the deliberate practice that got you there? The second one changes everything because it means you can do it again. The tricky part is that talent praise feels warmer in the moment. It's like a shortcut compliment. But effort praise is the one that actually sticks around, because it doesn't leave you hoping you wake up one day with more natural ability. It leaves you knowing exactly what to do next time.

Source: Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, 2016