One of the simplest ways that you can show love and appreciation is by giving genuine compliments to others. We all know that receiving a genuine compliment from someone can make your day, but did you know that giving a compliment can have similar, positive benefits, too?
Receiving a compliment leaves us feeling seen, valued, and appreciated, which are are basic human needs and vital parts of our relationships. This appreciation helps us want to cooperate and collaborate with others, in fact, the Harvard Business Review says it is vital to building positive organizational culture. Although extremely beneficial, it can sometimes be uncomfortable or difficult to receive a compliment, but the experts recommend that you take them with grace without overthinking, questioning, and resisting.
Giving someone a genuine compliment amplifies your self-confidence, nourishes your self-esteem, boosts your happiness, and helps build gratitude. In addition, giving gratitude-based compliments correlates with higher levels of optimism, satisfaction, and happiness.
So, how can you give a compliment? The experts lay out a few steps and considerations:
1. Link your compliment to something you genuinely feel. The compliment should be authentic and connected to values that you hold.
2. Think about why you appreciate the quality or action that you are going to compliment and be sure you express that.
3. Seal it with a KISS - Keep It Sincere and Specific.
So, as we move into a new week, challenge yourself to give genuine compliments to your partner, your friends, your classmates, the food service worker, or a complete stranger on the street - it can do more good than you ever imagined!
