Encouragement is one of the most powerful forms of positive communication in labs, yet it is often underutilized by leaders. In high-pressure environments such as laboratories, encouragement helps individuals persist, grow, and thrive. It reminds them that their efforts are seen and their potential is real.
Julien Mirivel, PhD, professor of applied communication at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and author of The Art of Positive Communication, identifies encouragement as one of six essential practices that create connection. Along with greeting, asking questions, complimenting, disclosing, and listening, encouragement is a deliberate way to shape relationships through language.
“Encouragement is a key leadership behavior in the model of communication that I developed years back,” Mirivel explained in a recent leadership video produced with communication coach Alexander Lyon, his co-author of Positive Communication for Leaders: Proven Strategies for Inspiring Unity and Effecting Change.
Why encouragement matters in laboratory leadership
Encouragement in the workplace is more than a morale boost—it is a deliberate form of positive communication in labs that reinforces belonging and provides meaningful support. As Mirivel explained, “In the wheel of positive communication, we describe the power of encouragement as the ability to give people the support they need to succeed.”
The need for encouragement is amplified by challenges common in today’s workplaces: grief, stress, burnout, and loneliness. Mirivel noted:
- Employees’ grief costs businesses about $75 billion annually
- Job stress and burnout cost industries hundreds of billions of dollars
- Eighty-two percent of employees report feeling lonely at work
On the other hand, compassion and encouragement have measurable positive effects. “When leaders demonstrate a preference for compassion, their followers are 25 percent more engaged in their jobs, 20 percent more committed, and at an 11 percent lower risk of burnout,” Mirivel said. Leaders also personally benefit, experiencing “a 30 percent increase in their own sense of wellbeing and happiness.”
“Your encouragement, your compassion, your support make a measurable difference in everybody’s lives,” he added.
The art of positive communication: strategies for encouragement
The most effective leaders don’t wait for the perfect moment to encourage others—they make it a habit. Lab managers can integrate encouragement into daily routines, whether during check-ins, project reviews, training sessions, or casual conversations.
Mirivel offered four practical strategies based on his own experiences:
1. Give meaningful advice in one-on-one moments
Mirivel recalled how a mentor helped him quit smoking with a single insight: “If you really want to quit smoking, you have to learn to quit one cigarette at a time.” That one-on-one encouragement led to lasting change.
2. Provide support to alleviate distress
After four years as a department chair, Mirivel felt burned out. His new supervisor recognized this and adjusted his teaching schedule, delegating responsibilities to others. “Fast forward to this year—I feel refreshed and I’m having my best teaching year I’ve had in a long time,” he said.
3. Refocus others on their strengths after mistakes
Mirivel recounted a professional’s story of making a major error. After admitting it to her boss, she heard: “You’re really good at what you do. You’re good at your job and you care, and you can overcome any challenge.” That reassurance helped her move forward with confidence.
4. Be present
Sometimes encouragement comes not from words but from presence. “Simply being available, simply being present and giving another person your time is sometimes all that’s needed,” Mirivel emphasized.
Four ways lab managers can practice encouragement every day
Encouragement doesn’t require long speeches or formal evaluations. Here are four actionable ways lab managers can start to infuse positive communication in labs:
- Name the effort, not just the outcome: Recognize improvement, experimentation, or persistence—not just results
- Offer encouragement before pressure points: A supportive word before an audit, training, or presentation can boost confidence
- Encourage privately and publicly: Private encouragement builds trust; public encouragement builds culture
- Make it a habit: Consistent encouragement fosters psychological safety and resilience
Building stronger lab culture through encouragement
In scientific environments where every detail matters, taking the time to recognize effort or affirm potential can significantly impact how people perceive themselves—and how they approach their work. Encouragement is not just a soft skill. It is a powerful leadership practice that builds connection, collaboration, and a stronger lab culture.
