The conscious leader gives in secret, and praises with silence.

He does not need to take credit for everything he does, nor give his team credit for every single thing they do.

He has heard people say that by not praising a child for every single thing he or she does, you let them find out what it is to do something for its own sake. They learn to do things for their own intrinsic reward, and not for praise, or trophies.

He knows that when people are motivated by the need for praise, he is on a slippery slope, for no amount is ever enough. Or, if it is, it’s not for long. Soon the stakes will have to be raised.

He has learned that when money is in the conversation, it’s often because the intrinsic rewards have been forgotten, or are being taken for granted. His job is first to connect people to those, and then see what remains.

The conscious leader embodies his belief in the power of intrinsic rewards by doing more than is asked of him, and telling no-one.

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