If you have an incandescent lightbulb in your house, you can thank Nancy Edison. She was the mother of Thomas Edison, the famous inventor with over 2,300 worldwide patents to his name, including the phonograph, motion picture camera, and carbon telephone transmitter. But he may not have found the courage to pursue inventing had it not been for Nancy’s persistent encouragement. Thomas struggled in school and was labeled “difficult” by teachers. Nancy pulled him out of school and consistently told him he was a gifted child. Those words helped shape him and provided the confidence he’d draw upon to change the world.
When we give someone a compliment, we inject some unexpected joy into their life. Compliments often catch people off guard, uplifting them and giving them confidence. Leaders should practice complimenting others because the people who look up to you can be shaped for the better by your words. Here are 7 compliments leaders should give to those around them.
1. “Thanks for working so hard.”
So much of business is measured by results. What was our ROI, and did we hit our KPIs? But compliments tied to results hint that our value is tied to what we produce. Instead, compliment effort over results. It shows the people you lead that you see them as a whole person, not just a line on the company spreadsheet. Notice when they go above and beyond. Tell them you appreciate how dedicated they are. Hard work should be rewarded, and the easiest way to do it is recognition.
2. “We are better because of you.”
People want to be valuable and needed. Telling them that we, and more specifically you, are better off having them around goes deep. It reminds them that they are a crucial part of the team and that the team would struggle without them. Motivating employees starts by telling them that who they are and what they do matters.
3. “I appreciate you.”
I doubt anyone has ever existed who didn’t want to hear this. Everyone wants to feel appreciated, but many wonder if they are. Take out the guesswork. Tell them specifically what you appreciate about who they are, what they do, and how they do it. It’s the self-esteem boost that carries people through tough tasks, hard days, and slow seasons. Be the reassuring jolt people crave.
4. “I trust you.”
This is a powerful compliment. It tells people you can handle tough things and are responsible. Only one-third of U.S. workers said they’d received recognition at work in the past seven days. Giving a compliment like this will be a big deal to someone.
5. “You are a leader.”
This is a way to elevate others and boost workplace morale. People lead in all kinds of ways. This is a way to tell someone you believe in them. It’s a way to give someone a vision of who they are and what they can be. It’s also about telling someone that you see what they bring to your organization.
6. “Thanks for being so steady.”
When stressful moments creep in, having a balanced, steady presence is a gift. Call out someone for being that solid anchor. No organization will thrive if its people are prone to freak out easily. You need someone who is level-headed in chaos. Compliment that person for the stability they bring, and give positive feedback.
7. “You see the big picture.”
The minutia of day-to-day tasks can be a grind. It’s easy to get bogged down with the little things and miss the larger goals. Compliment the people who keep the finish line in focus. That perspective keeps the team on track. Tell them you’re thankful for them and for the vision they bring to your organization.
What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received? Share in a comment.
