Why giving and receiving compliments at work is so important and how you should do it

Today, 1st of March, is World Compliment Day !

According to a study by Protime, more than half of Belgians believe that compliments are a source of motivation and increase productivity. However, one in three Belgians is never complimented at work. 

Complimenting at work should be an integral part of the corporate culture, because being appreciated and recognized contributes to everyone's well-being. But to fully integrate it into the workplace, we first need to know how to give and receive compliments. 

Indeed, to congratulate your colleagues, it is best to follow a few rules. First of all, it is important to give honest compliments that you really mean, because if the sincerity isn't there, it can be felt directly. Then, don't hesitate to give compliments that are directly related to the person's work, such as "What a wonderful presentation, everything was clear and precise" or "Thank you for your article on World Compliment Day, you're doing a really good job", this will boost his/her confidence and increase his/her motivation. Finally, don't expect anything in direct return for a compliment you give, a good compliment is selfless and comes at the right time! 

Giving compliments is one thing, receiving them is another. Unfortunately, we are more often used to criticism than compliments. So, we never really know how to react. However, a compliment should not embarrass or disturb us. When you receive a compliment from one of your colleagues or superiors, avoid denying or distracting it. If they pay you a compliment, it is probably sincere. So, at the very least, just thank the person and, at best, add a little extra information. For example, "Thank you very much. I'm glad I was able to help you," or "Thank you. I really enjoyed doing this task and I'm glad you enjoyed it too". 

Nevertheless, many of you are still working remotely at the moment. As a result, it's not as easy as it used to be to bump into each other at the coffee machine at the end of a meeting or a colleague's presentation to compliment each other. So don't hesitate to use your personal or professional communication channels to leave room for compliments and congratulations. For company or team leaders, a great way to compliment and thank your colleagues can also be to use online activities and team buildings. Interactions, even virtual ones, are crucial in these difficult times. 

Written by Apolline De Coster, Human Resources Management Advisor/Specialist