Improve mental wellbeing and team cohesiveness in the workplace by opening up communication and encouraging positive enforcement through the power of compliments.
Compliments are a key component of healthy, open communication that helps foster psychological safety in the workplace. For this reason, understanding how to give and receive compliments is a powerful tool in the modern day workplace.
When we receive a compliment, we feel valued and appreciated—two core emotional human needs. In the workplace, feeling valued can be the difference between an engaged, well-performing colleague versus a disengaged, under-performing colleague.
Not only do we emotionally respond to compliments, but physically, our brain’s response is the same as being paid monetary rewards. Some studies suggest that this brain activity is correlated with higher levels of skills consolidation—an integral type of learning we do in our sleep.
Furthermore, have you ever noticed how you feel after giving a compliment? Studies have shown that compliments also improve the giver’s mood, by allowing them to practise gratitude and strengthen their interpersonal relationships.
Have you ever had the thought of paying someone a compliment but, instead, chosen to say nothing at all? According to research, it’s usually because of two reasons:
When we don’t feel competent enough in a specific subject, skill, or area of expertise, we lack confidence to compliment someone on that subject.
According to Boothby and Bohns, this is because our perceived lack of competency makes us feel too inadequate to be paying someone a compliment.
Think of a time you were genuinely complimented. You felt pretty good, didn’t you?
According to Zhao, however, we tend to talk ourselves out of paying compliments due to underestimating their impact on others. Instead, choosing to believe that the recipient will think we’re being insincere, causing us to hesitate and stay silent.
Complimenting colleagues can make a world of difference. It shows that you notice, appreciate and value their work. According to research, paying compliments in the workplace can have two big impacts:
Across business management and positive psychology research, it’s been found that receiving verbal compliments at work can have a significant positive impact on how we think of ourselves, and our jobs. Over time, this positive influence helps increase job satisfaction and wellbeing at work, resulting in happier colleagues.
When we receive a compliment, the reward centre in our brain activates and dopamine is released. In other words, we feel happier.
When we’re complimented in the office, we’re receiving confirmation that we’re being recognised for our hard work. It makes us feel seen and valued, energising and encouraging us to stay engaged and do well.
Fostering a company culture that encourages giving compliments helps promote a more positive, safe and productive workplace. Quick throwaway “good job!”s and “nice one!”s, however, won’t add value to your workplace culture.
To reap the benefits, the compliments need to be well thought-out, genuine and delivered with intention.
Try following these guidelines to help you give genuine compliments at work:
Many of us are too quick to diminish, brush off or even feel embarrassed when we receive compliments at work.
This might be because you’re experiencing imposter syndrome or, you fear accepting the compliment will make you seem arrogant in front of your peers.
If either of these reactions feel familiar, try the below methods to begin graciously accepting compliments in the workplace.
Compliments make us feel good. In the workplace, they help remind us that we’re seen, valued and appreciated. This in turn increases job satisfaction, engagement and overall wellbeing in the workplace.
In other words, we feel psychologically safer—something we all need to continue to feel good at work. Want to learn how to improve your workplace culture even further?
Learn how to build psychological safety in the workplace