Attaboy!

In the act of praise, there is the aspect of it being ‘the passing of judgement by a person of ability onto a person of no ability.’

- Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga, ‘The Courage to Be Disliked’

The ‘Attaboy!’ is a standard currency of every organisation. The reflex taught in school of rewarding progress by certificates and public acknowledgement segues into our workplace parent-child dynamic.

The same blush of pride we felt when the teacher returned our work with a gold star is repeated when the boss says:

Attaboy!

Thus gently reminding us who is in charge of our mortgage and our self-esteem.