Feedback Strategies

Why Do So Many Managers Avoid Giving Praise?

I liked this article because it shed light on the effectiveness of managers' praise. Having worked in fast food, I can see how managers feel uneasy giving certain kinds of feedback. I was happy to read about the usefulness of positive as well as negative praise! I hope more managers can understand the benefits of it, as it ultimately improves efficiency of an operation. 


Five Reasons to Stop Saying "Good Job!"
I feel like this article addresses the whole self-esteem kick parents got on after researchers said boosting self-esteem led to more favorable outcomes. This line in particular hits it well:

As if it weren’t bad enough that "Good job!" can undermine independence, pleasure, and interest, it can also interfere with how good a job children actually do.

Doing something as simple as saying "Good job!" can have negative impacts as well, and this article expresses that well.

If only you could buy self-esteem by the bag in the cereal aisle! Source

Topic Research: Epic Battles

3 Contributing Stories

LOTR
Tolkien's many battles that he writes about are wonderful material to rewrite into battles of my own. It may be possible to throw in some fictional racial ties that connect all the stories?

Source: Fellowship of the Ring, personal digital copy

Iliad
I know it may not be a formal battle, but a 1v1 fight between Hector and Achilles or Paris and Menelaus would be a good way to heighten tension and further the story with an intense version of those fights.

Source: Online version of Iliad, link

Ramayana
A battle between Ravana and Rama would be a great addition/end to my list of battles. This battle being epic in proportion and having an Indian background makes it unique. Not to mention the awesome weapons used by gods in these stories.

Source: Narayan's Ramayana, hardcopy

Medieval battles have always been interesting to me. They're always so epic and full of captivating interests and motives.
Source

Reading Notes: The Book of Saints and Friendly Beasts, Part B

Notes
Title: The Wolf-Mother of Saint Ailbe

An uncaring human couple no longer wanted their child. They wrapped their son up and abandoned him by a mountainside to be found. As it turned out, a wolf mother was going on her evening stroll after taking care of her wolf pups when she came across this human baby. She sympathized for the helpless little one as she had her own at home, and the thought of them being abandoned and hungry was a disheartening thought. The wolf mother took the baby home to be raised with her wolf pups.

The baby, who came to be known as Ailbe, adapted well to the wolf mother and her children out in woods. Ailbe's growth was seemingly uninhibited--he grew strong, tall, and handsome. But, one day a hunter came around and snatched Ailbe up. Realizing that he was raised in the woods like a wild animal, the hunter felt that him and his wife could take better care of Ailbe. Ailbe did not find relief in this. He wanted to stay with his wolf mother and wolf brethren. Nonetheless, the hunter and his wife ended up being a prince and princess that lived in a grand castle. Ailbe grew up in wise, human teachings and eventually obtained the title of bishop as well as a palace in his town.

 Many years later, all the lords of nearby lands met together for a great hunt. As the cries of many animals rang through the woods. Ailbe's wolf mother, old and gray, came to plead for her life. Ailbe received her and his brethren. He pardoned them from the hunt and ensured that no hunter would harm them. Ailbe then invited her wolf mother and her children to come eat at his table as they wished. In doing this, he returned the same love, respect, and care which she gave to him in his time of need. They were now a reunited, happy family again.

Bibliography
Abbie Farwell Brown, The Book of Saints and Friendly Beasts, source

Wolves are such beautiful creatures! Source