Hi Lance, the simple compliments are usually my favorite.

Hi Miss, a good listener will always have friends.

Hi Barbara, that’s really cool that the other “higher ups” liked it too. It must have been a really good “farewell” letter.

Hi Marissa, that’s a creative way of showing appreciation. I’m going to try that.

Hi Karen, I love watching a person’s face light up from a compliment. It’s the cherry on top. And thanks for the compliment. This blog is my baby, watching it grow up has been awesome.

Too often at work we’re quick to critique and slow to praise. I have always followed the opposite model. As you pour good things into others, you receive good things in return. I always look for something nice to say even to strangers. It is a joy to watch someone’s face light up when you give them a compliment. I don’t hand our false platitudes but rather am always on the look out to find something good to say. At work, people are far more willing to work with you to solve problems and listen when there’s room for improvement when you have taken time to point out the good things. By the way, you do a fantastic job here of presenting strategies for people to lead a fulfilling life at work and home. I really appreciate what you do.

When someone really makes an effort to help me with a problem, I have on occasion sent a follow-up email to the employee signed something like:

Marissa
President and CEO of the John Smith Fan Club

(The guy beamed the next time he saw me and said “WOW – I didn’t even know I had fan club!”

Marissa’s last blog post..YouTube – 1970s Levi’s commercial

My biggest compliment came when I worked for a Japanese company. I wrote the speeches and for the Vice President who couldn’t speak English very well. When the time came for his retirement, he asked me if I could write his “farewell” letter. I was honored, and did. Several weeks later, my boss (who was an Assistant Vice President)called me into his office. He told me that several of the “higher ups” had received the letter from the V.P.. They said they knew “he” didn’t write it, wanted to know who did, and wondered if they could save it and use it for when they retired. I was shocked and humbled.

Complimenting others is very important. Too many times we get too busy and forget to think about others and what they might need. Often a smile or kind word can change their day.

This post is a great reminder to show our gratefulness to others. Great job Karl.

Barbara Swafford – Blogging Without A Blog’s last blog post..Twitter – Do You REALLY Care What I’m Doing

xoxo~

Miss MatchMaker’s last blog post..Getting what you want?

And this reminds me of a time a little over a year ago. The company I work for had just moved into a new building – and coordinating and organizing the move of much of our equipment fell on my shoulders. It was a very big job, and consumed almost all of my time for the better part of six months, from planning to the actual move. Once we were moved in, we held a company-wide celebration. As part of that, and completely unexpected on my part – four people who were instrumental in the move were publicly recognized and presented with a plaque, myself included. And it felt really good to know that the time and effort I had put in were appreciated. That’s not something that happens everyday. That’s not something that happens enough. It doesn’t even have to be elaborate – it can be simple. It should happen much more!

So, this is a great reminder for us all, Karl – to compliment those who do make a difference. And that’s my plan for tomorrow! You’ve inspired me!

You’re awesome Karl!

Lance’s last blog post..Sunday Thought For The Day

Marelisa’s last blog post..30 Creativity Cards: A Gift I Made For You