Compliments Are Complicated: Carrying Praise Without Pressure
Holding back every urge to defer, explain, or respond, I just said, “Thank you.”
A teammate had given me the kindest compliment, and I had a really hard time accepting it.
Sometimes it feels like watching the conversation happen to someone else, like my brain can neither accept nor process what’s being said. Are we wired to automatically receive compliments with grace? I’m not convinced.
👍🏼 DO:
Be patient
Be present
Just listen
👎🏼 DON’T:
Defer to someone else
Attempt to explain
Rob the compliment-giver of a blessing
Accepting it requires humility.
Here’s the trick I’m learning: treat compliments like your favorite snack. Slip them into your pocket and save them for later—as long as they’re the non-melty kind. These “snacks” are best enjoyed in solitude, while journaling or reflecting back on the day.
And when you’ve had a chance to savor it, circle back to the giver. Tell them how much their words meant to you and why. Just like sending a thank-you note when someone gives you a gift, let them know what you loved about it and how it will stick with you.