When you want to praise someone, put it in writing. That way, they can look back at that note for years to come and feel encouraged over and over again.
But when you want to correct someone, do it verbally (unless you’re giving a formal written reprimand). That way, they can hear what you’re saying, feel the sting of it and work to change.
But if they have your reprimand in writing, they can review and critique it for years to come and find reasons why it was unfair and untrue, and it can become a source of bitterness for them for years to come. And in this scenario, your popularity doesn’t grow all that much either!
