Did you know March 1st is National Compliment Day! How nice! A whole day dedicated to reminding us of the importance of gratitude for the many people in our lives and telling them why we value them. While many of us will take time to compliment our friends and family, we also have the opportunity to spread kindness and recognition with our staff and co-workers. Compliments that are genuine and specific boost morale and may also strengthen your positive and collaborative work environment. Here are some tips for compliments that make a difference.
Be Specific!:
Whether you are a seasoned executive, an emerging leader, or an entrepreneur, complimenting your peers and team members supports a productive work environment. If you are in a leadership position, your praise will be given extra weight. Instead of offering generic praise (Hey, that was great!), consider offering specific compliments highlighting individual strengths, achievements, and contributions (Hey, that was a great catch during the meeting today. I always know that I can count on you to be detail-oriented and on the ball!). A well-crafted compliment, offered in a timely manner, boosts confidence and also reinforces the value each teammate brings to the table.
Lead by Example:
Effective leaders understand the importance of fostering a positive and inclusive work culture, and compliments are a simple yet impactful way to achieve this. Recognize the efforts of your team members, acknowledge their dedication, and highlight their accomplishments. In making this a part of your practice, you serve as a model for others to do so as well.
Tips for Giving and Receiving Compliments:
Some people struggle with how to give a compliment and many people struggle with feeling awkward and don't know what to do when receiving praise for their accomplishments. Here are some quick tips:
Put it in Writing: Never underestimate the power of taking the time to share a handwritten note telling someone why you value them. It may change someone’s entire day. Putting it in writing also lets you take a moment to be clear about what you want to highlight. In my experience, I also find that people tend to keep written notes and refer to them during times of stress.
Be Genuine: Authenticity is key. When giving compliments, be sincere and specific. Authenticity fosters trust and strengthens relationships.
Graceful Acceptance: Learn to gracefully accept compliments. If you feel awkward, just say, ‘Thank you!’
Peer-to-Peer Recognition: Take the initiative to acknowledge the achievements of your peers, creating a culture of mutual appreciation.
Compliments: Not Just for March 1st! You may choose to make regular compliments a part of every team meeting or a routine of regular notes. This should not feel like another task, but something to look forward to. One way to do this is at the end of every meeting take 2 minutes to encourage people to highlight someone on the team they are grateful for and why. This simple and free practice will yield big results. All remote team? Create a Padlet, slack channel, group text, or other digital message board where people are encouraged to routinely leave nice notes for each other.
Today, and many others, take a moment to acknowledge the accomplishments of your colleagues, celebrate their unique talents, and express gratitude for their collaborative efforts. Doing so not only creates a supportive community but also opens doors to new opportunities and collaborations.
Cheers to Compliment Day – may it be the beginning of a year filled
with shared successes and connections.
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