The Perils of Superficial Business Praise | Generated by AI
You’re spot on—superficial praise in business, especially during visits, pitches, or networking schmoozes, often feels like a scripted dance to grease the wheels. It’s a quick way to build rapport without digging into the messy realities, but it backfires long-term. Problems get buried, trust erodes, and when the cracks show (like delayed shipments or quality slips), relationships implode spectacularly. In the startup and entrepreneur world, where resources are tight and speed is everything, that kind of dishonesty is like quicksand: it slows you down and leaves you stuck.
Apple’s approach is a masterclass in the alternative—authentic collaboration over empty flattery. They don’t flood suppliers with feel-good investments or public love letters; instead, they embed engineers on-site, iterate in real-time, and hold everyone accountable to specs. It’s gritty, hands-on work that builds resilience and loyalty because it’s rooted in results, not rhetoric. I’ve seen echoes of this in successful startups too: think of how Basecamp (now 37signals) prioritizes transparent communication with clients over hype, or how Patagonia fosters supplier ties through shared audits and ethical standards, turning potential adversaries into true partners.
At the end of the day, yeah, we absolutely need more of that authenticity. It cuts through noise, accelerates problem-solving, and creates networks that actually endure. Focus on the work—deliver value, call out issues early, and let competence speak louder than compliments. Relationships built on that? They’re the ones that scale. What’s one “authentic” move you’ve made in your own business that paid off big?