On rewarding effort, rather than results and quality:
Actually, they were being treated like children but they had been their whole lives and didn’t know the difference.
Treating like an adult: You’re fucking up. Here’s how to fix it. Now fix it.
Treating like a child: You’re trying really hard! Good job! It’s not the result that matters, it’s just that you try!
(That’s actually a functional way to deal with children up to a point. In most cases they can’t do a real job. But when they get to the point they can, when they’re ready to learn to be adults with adult responsibilities, “it’s a good try” should never cut it.)
On rewarding effort, rather than results and quality:
John Ringo, The Last Centurion, p.369