Communicating Compliments

Every holiday season media outlets report positive stories about “random acts of kindness.” These heart-warming tales of generosity make you realize how easy it is to touch the life of people you don’t know. In communication, one of the simplest acts of kindness is giving a compliment to someone when they do an outstanding job. And yet, most of us never seem to give compliments to others who truly deserve them. The emotional disconnect between listening to a feel-good story at holiday time and our daily interaction with family, colleagues and strangers is truly an interpersonal communication mystery.

How difficult is it to tell someone at work, in the community or family that they did a good job or had a great idea? Evidently, it’s a nearly impossible communication feat for many Americans especially in the business world. Most people want to know they are doing a good job, but how often have you ever heard a compliment when you know you deserved one? People work harder and feel better about themselves and their working environment when someone tells them that they appreciate their hard work. A compliment is synonymous with “good job.” Let’s put compliment back into our vocabulary and make someone else’s day a warmer one.