I just checked out your thread and you've gotten some really good advice. I believe no R talks is the most important thing - I haven't had one in about 6 mos. There is no point to them, no matter how much you are tempted. Now that my situation is so much better, I seem to be more tempted lately. But then I remind myself that what has worked is not having R talks.
Giving praise does feel very awkward at first if you're not in the habit, but it doesn't take long to be more comfortable with it. Start small, and casusal. Put things in the form of a statement rather than questions, like "You're looking pretty sharp behind the wheel of that new car" rather than "How do you like your new car?"
