Where do you give compliments? What about criticism?
Ina Garten has some advice:
“I’m very clear about two things. If I’m criticizing you, I’ll take you out of the room and discuss what you can do better. If I’m complimenting you, I’ll do it with everyone around.”
Ina Garten on Good Hang with Amy Poehler
I think choral leaders tend to be good about this; we praise a lot in rehearsal, and the criticism we give in the group is generally to the group or to sections of the group, not individuals.
But I can think of lots of times that I’ve opted to compliment students later, and not in front of the group. And I can think of a few times when I’ve given individual feedback in the group that would have been better given away from the group.