7 Benefits of Giving and Receiving Compliments

I can live for two months on a good compliment. 

–  Mark Twain

Take a moment to do this “thought” exercise on giving and receiving compliments.

Recall the last time you gave a personal non-surface, genuine compliment? How did it feel to give a deeper more personal compliment and how did the other person respond? How about the last time you received a personal compliment, again, a non-surface kind of compliment? How did you respond?

Giving and receiving more personal compliments is actually a skill that is learned by practicing.

While it may not feel comfortable and natural to both give and receive compliments the act of doing becomes easier each time you are the giver or the receiver. No distinct set of skills is required other than your intention to gain and grow in this area of personal development along with attention to learning how to give a more personalized compliment and how to receive one.

Giving and receiving compliments positively impacts everyone!

When a compliment is given others take in the good noticed in them and in turn they respond and can pass along the shared recognition gained from the compliment. When given and taken sincerely the universe itself rises to the occasion with positivity. From this place, gratitude grows and flourishes!

When we learn to give and receive sincere compliments that travel beneath the surface such as, “nice work or way to go,” to a deeper noticing such as, “you showed up prepared and ready to take on your job today,” a ripple effect occurs across all paths from personal to professional.

Honesty, empathy, emotional intuitiveness, communication, and leadership become elevated within and empower us to show up with impact! Reflect on this short list of mutual benefits shared below and from there, “take your talk” to more personal conversation levels.

Here are 7 Benefits of Giving and Receiving Compliments:

1. Gratitude Growth

Making a point of bringing more appreciation and gratitude into the world by giving compliments can help foster and create positive relationships and stronger feelings of social connection.

2. Mindfulness Cultivation

When giving and receiving a compliment mindfulness is in the air. By being gracious to the compliment giver we honor them and in so doing honor our own ability to lovingly receive what was shared.  Being present to the desire to speak up and share along with graciously receiving is mindfulness in motion!

3. Self-Confidence Development

When a genuine compliment is offered it takes confidence and empathy to step up and speak up! The more you learn to give a deeper compliment the more you grow and develop your confidence muscle along with communications skills. Receiving a compliment with ease and comfort demonstrates the character attribute of self-confidence and self-value. This is not to be confused with arrogance/ego or selfishness. Taking a heartfelt compliment with grace promotes a more positive way of life. The easiest way to grow and develop confidence is to give and receive kind and empowering words.

4. Personal Clarity

When receiving an unexpected compliment, we have the ability to see ourselves more clearly through the lens of another’s perspective away from our self-imposed blind spots.

5. Graciousness

Taking a sincere compliment is a form of extending graciousness along with gratitude.

6. Emotional Wellbeing

An honest and sincere compliment validates who we are and the emotional effort we have taken to share positivity with another. Likewise taking a moment in time to just relax and appreciate a compliment opens up feel-good hormones and sets a tone for healthier emotions!

All of us have a strong need to belong to be recognized and appreciated. Giving and receiving truly help meet those needs and enhances all of our relationships.

7. Good Karma

Last but not least, Karma. What comes around goes around. As we learn how to sincerely and deeply compliment and receive goodness, it goes out from our small selves and into serving the broad and greater good of humanity. So, give compliments generously and receive them graciously!

Do you have any tips for giving and receiving compliments that did not get mentioned above? Please share them with us in the comments section below!

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*Originally published on December 27, 2018.

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