McVay doesn't just use the carrot though

Not saying you were insinuating that either btw.

But... He uses the carrot and doesn't bother with a whip because he'll move you or cut you if you don't perform at a level he expects. So I think it's not just a HC walking around throwing around compliments. He's a HC who is on top of everything, who has watched your film to the Nth degree and knows exactly who you are. I mean some bosses might throw you a compliment because they like your energy or just to make you feel good without knowing necessarily how good you might be interacting with the players. With McVay he's probably watched the way you interact with the players by nuking the practice video and liked what he saw so told you as much.

I remember an article that referred to him as a coaching supernova prior to his hire and by God he's lived up to it. It is kind of insane to be that team who has the elite head coach. All those years of watching the 9ers, Redskins, Cowboys dynasties and now we're finally in position with a great head coach plus a front office who can handle success (which is a whole other conversation).