SPOILER ALERT:  I’m going to brag about my music business students.

I very recently had BMG Records VP JoJamie Hahr visit with them to discuss the industry, careers, pitfalls – the worry about AI artists replacing humans, you know – a great list of topics that they researched and questioned her on.

But what was different was at the end, each one (there were 25 present) told her why what she said that resonated with them and cited specific evidence so as to avoid mere flattery. The speaker has been a guest in prior classes but she whispered to me under her breath “this is my favorite part”.

Parents often get a bad rap, but they must be doing something right.  Giving unsolicited praise backed up by evidence is the most powerful and memorable “thank you” anyone can get and these young folks delivered.

Legendary NFL coach Bill Walsh used to say “Nothing is more effective than sincere, accurate praise, and nothing is more lame than a cookie-cutter compliment.”

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