Lead with Reassurance: Stop chasing applause and start building alignment. The most powerful words in leadership? “You matter”—said often, without reason, just because.
You Matter (No Strings Attached)
Introduction
Applause-Seeking Andy just finished his weekly team meeting, for example. He dropped three “strategic insights,” name-dropped two industry leaders, and ended with a motivational quote from LinkedIn.
The room clapped politely. Andy felt validated.
But here’s what Andy missed—while he was performing for applause, his team was starving for something simpler. They wanted to know they mattered.
Lead with Reassurance: The best messages aren’t spoken for applause—they’re spoken for alignment. Remind others they matter—often and without reason.
The Applause Trap
Most leaders get stuck in what I call the ‘applause trap.’ Because they craft messages designed to make themselves look smart, insightful, or inspirational. But here’s the thing—applause fades faster than a phone battery at 1%. By contrast, reassurance lasts far beyond the moment.
Think of it like this: Seeking applause is like eating cotton candy for breakfast. It tastes sweet in the moment, but it doesn’t actually nourish anyone.
Reassuring Rachel takes a different approach. She starts meetings by acknowledging specific contributions. She sends random “thinking of you” messages. She reminds people they matter—not because they hit a deadline, but because they’re human.
The “Just Because” Superpower
The magic happens when you remove conditions from care. Most workplace affirmation comes with strings attached:
- “Great job on that project!”
- “Thanks for staying late!”
- “You really delivered this quarter!”
But what about: “You bring such positive energy to this team” or “I’m grateful you’re here”—just because?
Think of it like this: Conditional praise is like a vending machine—you get something when you put something in. In contrast, unconditional reassurance is like sunlight—it shines on everyone, always, just because they exist.
Alignment Over Applause
When Motivational Mike delivers his weekly pep talk, people smile and nod. But when Reassuring Rachel quietly tells someone, “Your perspective matters here,” something shifts. Trust is built. Walls fall. Alignment takes shape.
For example, when leaders prioritize reassurance over recognition, they foster deeper connections.
Because here’s what most leaders miss: People don’t need another inspirational quote. They need to know they’re seen, valued, and essential. Not for what they produce—but for who they are.
The difference? Applause creates a moment. Reassurance creates a culture.
✍️ Note to Self: Reassurance isn’t a reward system—it’s a relationship builder. Your words have the power to make someone’s entire day better, not because they earned it, but because they exist. Use that power generously.
The FUNomenal™ Finale
Challenge: For the next week, tell one person daily that they matter—without mentioning their work, achievements, or productivity. Just because they’re them.
Watch what happens to your relationships, your team culture, and your own leadership impact.
Because the best messages aren’t spoken for applause—they’re spoken for alignment. And alignment? That’s where the real magic happens.
Call to Action: What’s one way you can lead with reassurance today? Share your “you matter” moment in the comments—let’s inspire a movement of unconditional care in leadership.
AI Sidekick Alert: This post was unpacked and given a touch of FUNomenal™ sparkle with the creative assistance of my behind-the-scenes AI brainstorming buddy!
About Tony
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Tony Brigmon | Speaker—Emcee | TonyBrigmon.com
Tony Brigmon is a party animal. He’s been known to stay up well past nine o’clock drinking root beer and telling G-rated jokes. Sure, the neighbors complain, but that doesn’t stop him. Because Tony is serious about having fun. Serious fun, with serious results.
As a result of his questionable spelling skills, Tony learned at an early age that his name spelled backward is “YNOT.” As in, “YNOT take a closer look at his book?” Or “YNOT smile when you should be crying?”
Tony was a Southwest Airlines “Insider” and the former “face” of their renowned culture as their official “Ambassador of Fun”. At Southwest Airlines, “fun” was the power of “positivity” that helped catapult a small carrier into a force that changed the airline industry.
Today, Tony is a popular speaker, emcee, and author of The FUNomenal™ Workplace. (FUNomenal™ is pronounced the same as phenomenal but it’s a lot more FUN.)
Former CEO of Southwest Airlines Howard Putnam says: “Tony has a gift for blending fun and capturing ideas in a manner that sticks for audiences.” Tony’s friends say that no one should have so much fun while sober. Tony’s wife said she has had about all the cheerfulness she can stand.
“Fun” transformed this author’s work and life. YNOT discover if the serious power of fun can transform the next 30 seconds of your day or 30 years of your life?
YNOT arrange to have Tony Brigmon teach you and your team how the power of fun can help you get more done, bring out the best in everyone, and make you irresistibly attractive in your communication with others. You can do this. So, YNOT?
