This Jan. 24 is National Compliment Day. In preparation, here’s a guide to giving the best compliments.
Be Genuine
It’s easy to say someone is doing a good job. It’s more important that you mean it. Don’t just give a compliment you don’t believe. Some people tend to make grandiose statements that come off as ingenuine. Avoid statements like, “You are my favorite person,” “You do the best work,” or “I’ve never seen a more beautiful human.” They might be true, but they’re also a bit over the top and people might not take them to heart.
Be Specific
Another pitfall of many over-the-top statements is they aren’t very specific. Someone might be your favorite person, but focus on what makes them your favorite. When you’re working on a compliment, be sure to say you’re saying it, instead of just saying it to say it. It will mean a lot more to the person hearing it.
Delivery Matters
It’s always best to compliment people when you see something you really appreciate. If you see it happen, say something right then and there. If you haven’t said something nice in a while, Jan. 24 is your chance to make up for it. Consider writing a short note to wrap up thing you’ve noticed but missed mentioning at the time. Something like a quick email, text message, or a Post-it note on the fridge is a great way to give praise when you don’t have the chance to talk in person.
Seek Inspiration
Having trouble coming up with something? Here is a list of positive compliments that can get you started. Pick a few that match with the person you are trying to praise and go from there. Make sure to make your words sound personal.
Ready to learn more skills in 2022? Read on at The Loop at 2800 blog.