The Encouragement Foundation

The Encouragement Foundation The Encouragement Foundation is an independent not-for-profit organisation that's pure purpose is to encourage others.

I've been saying this for almost 60 years... One of the simplest ways to improve performance costs nothing.Notice people...
02/09/2026

I've been saying this for almost 60 years... One of the simplest ways to improve performance costs nothing.

Notice people doing things well — and tell them what you noticed.
Not simply: "Good job."

Be specific:
→ "I noticed how you handled that difficult customer."
→ "You asked a really good question in that meeting."
→ "You saw that problem coming and acted before it became bigger."

Specific encouragement does more than make someone feel appreciated. It tells them which behaviours are valuable. And that makes those behaviours easier to recognise and repeat.

That's why I believe encouragement belongs in conversations about performance. It's not separate from accountability. It's part of helping people understand what good performance actually looks like.

I encourage you to try it today.

Notice something worth repeating. Then name it.

For simple practical high performance strategies that create kinder, less stressful cultures send me a message and I'll point you to some of my best work on integrating real encouragement into workplaces.

Change the conversation to get a better result. Be curious about the quiet people.Over the years, I’ve learned not to as...
30/08/2026

Change the conversation to get a better result. Be curious about the quiet people.

Over the years, I’ve learned not to assume that the quietest person in the room has the least to contribute. Sometimes it’s quite the opposite.

They may have an idea they haven’t been invited to share.
A concern they’re unsure will be welcomed.
Or years of experience that could give the conversation an entirely different perspective.

As leaders, we naturally pay attention to what people say.

I think we also need to pay attention to who isn’t saying anything.

A simple:
“I’d be interested to hear what you think.”
can change the conversation.

I'd encourage you to think about this...
Who are you hearing from least?

And what might you learn if you genuinely invited them into the conversation?

I explore this further in my latest edition of The Encouragement Effect: When Good People Stop Speaking Up.

I hope it encourages you to encourage the quiet ones in your circle to speak up.

We tend to notice the big milestones.The promotion.The new business.The goal achieved.The problem finally solved.But mos...
27/08/2026

We tend to notice the big milestones.
The promotion.
The new business.
The goal achieved.
The problem finally solved.

But most meaningful progress happens long before anyone sees the result. It happens when you keep going on an ordinary Tuesday.

When you make the call you’ve been putting off.
When you try again after something hasn’t worked.
When you choose to improve something by 1% rather than waiting until you can change everything.

Over the years, I’ve learned not to underestimate small progress. It builds confidence. And confidence makes the next step a little easier.

I'd encourage you to think about this...

What progress have you made recently that you haven't given yourself enough credit for?

There is a difference between praise and encouragement.Praise often sounds like: “Great job.”There’s nothing wrong with ...
14/08/2026

There is a difference between praise and encouragement.

Praise often sounds like: “Great job.”

There’s nothing wrong with that. We all appreciate being recognised.
But encouragement can go a little deeper.

“I saw how much preparation you put into that. You kept going when it became difficult, and it paid off.”

The first recognises the result.

The second helps someone recognise something within themselves — their effort, persistence, judgement or growth.

Over the years, I’ve found that proper encouragement doesn't simply tell people they're doing well. It helps them understand why they're doing well, so they can draw on those strengths again.

That matters in the workplace. It matters in families. And it matters when we're helping young people develop confidence in themselves.

I'd encourage you to think about this...
The next time you're about to say “Well done,” could you add one sentence that tells the person what you noticed?

That small difference can turn praise into something they can carry forward.

Encouragement is not always expressed through words.For a student from a remote village in Timor-Leste, it looked like:✔...
10/08/2026

Encouragement is not always expressed through words.

For a student from a remote village in Timor-Leste, it looked like:
✔️ A safe place to live.
✔️ A structured environment in which to study.
✔️ People who offered guidance.
✔️ Financial support when continuing university became difficult.

These practical acts allowed Dr Juvencio Moniz Pacheco to complete high school, study medicine and become the first person in his family to attend university.

Words can help people believe that something is possible.
Action can help make it possible.

The strongest encouragement often combines both.

Where could your encouragement become more practical?

Read my latest article about a true story. I hope you'll be inspired.

When people hear the word encouragement, they often think of kindness.They're right.But there's another side to encourag...
29/07/2026

When people hear the word encouragement, they often think of kindness.
They're right.

But there's another side to encouragement that doesn't get talked about nearly enough.
It's good for business!

I've worked with organisations where people felt valued, listened to and encouraged to contribute their ideas.

I've also worked with organisations where people stayed quiet, kept their heads down and did only what was required.

The difference wasn't just culture. It was performance.

Encouraged people are more likely to contribute ideas, solve problems, support one another and remain engaged in their work.

Research has consistently shown that organisations with highly engaged employees experience stronger productivity, higher profitability and lower staff turnover than those with low engagement.

Encouragement isn't simply about making people feel good. It's about creating an environment where people can do their best work.

I'd encourage you to think about this...

If someone joined your team tomorrow, what would encourage them to stay, contribute and grow?

It might be one of the most valuable conversations you have this week.

27/07/2026

Have you ever noticed that encouragement doesn't always change our circumstances.

The challenge may still be there.
The difficult conversation may still need to happen.
The uncertainty may not disappear.

What encouragement does change is us.
It reminds us we're not alone.
It helps us see possibilities instead of obstacles.
And sometimes that's all we need to keep moving forward and make the most of a new day.

I'd encourage you to think about that for a moment...

Has someone ever encouraged you at just the right time?

I explore this idea further in the latest edition of The Encouragement Effect, and I'd love you to read it if you haven't already.

I hope it encourages you. You can find it on my LinkedIn profile under Newsletters. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Looking back over my life, I can think of people who believed in me long before I fully believed in myself.They didn't h...
22/07/2026

Looking back over my life, I can think of people who believed in me long before I fully believed in myself.

They didn't have all the answers.
They didn't remove the challenges.
But they gave me something just as valuable.

Confidence to take the next step.

It's easy to underestimate the impact of a kind word or a genuine vote of confidence. Yet those moments often stay with us for years.

I'd encourage you to think about this...

Who was that person for you?

Earlier this week I shared another edition of The Encouragement Effect. I reflect on how encouragement can rebuild confidence and quietly change the direction of someone's life.

I'd love you to take a few minutes to read it. I'll drop a link in the comments.

People do their best work when they know they matter.Encouragement doesn't always require a grand gesture.Sometimes it's...
15/07/2026

People do their best work when they know they matter.

Encouragement doesn't always require a grand gesture.
Sometimes it's a conversation.
Sometimes it's recognition.
Sometimes it's simply taking the time to notice.

I'd encourage you to think about someone who has made you feel valued.
What did they do?

Small moments often leave the biggest impression.

For simple practical high performance strategies that create kinder, less stressful cultures, I'll drop a little something in the comments that may be beneficial.

When people think about courage, they often picture extraordinary acts.I've found it usually looks much quieter than tha...
14/07/2026

When people think about courage, they often picture extraordinary acts.

I've found it usually looks much quieter than that.

It's the conversation you've been avoiding.
The apology you've been meaning to make.
The feedback that needs to be shared with kindness.
The question you've been hesitant to ask.

Courage doesn't always arrive before the conversation.
Quite often, it grows because of it.

I'd encourage you to think about this...
Is there one conversation you've been postponing that might be worth having this week?

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