This is all terrific, but there is a down side as well. Psychologist Diana Baumrind suggested in her writings about parents that some of them are too tough as they take distance stances, have very high expectations and are overly critical when kids fail to meet them. Unfortunately, neither group is using parental power effectively. Mixing high expectations with ongoing appreciation is the essence of using power effectively. Coming to terms with power is one of the toughest aspects of being a leader.
Some people are afraid to give too much praise for fear of being seen as soft.
Others are afraid of hurting their kids' or direct reports' feelings and thus hold back critical feedback. Your power is one of your most important assets, one that will be continually diminished if you don't learn to use it effectively. Listen carefully to the answers to these questions and, by all means, take the advice you get seriously. Power is like anything else. If you don't use it well, you will surely lose it.