It’s so great to get a compliment at work. But it can sometimes be hard to know how to react or respond. After all, we all want to come across as modest and humble. So when we receive a compliment, it can sometimes feel really awkward, and we may end up making one or more of the following mistakes:

  1. Giving other people ALL the credit – If you get complimented for a project that you worked on, it’s wonderful to share the credit with the other people involved. But don’t give them ALL of the credit. Try not to say something like, “Oh, it was really Edna and Bob who did most of the work!” This is taking modesty too far. You contributed to the project too, so you should get some of the praise!
  2. Putting yourself down – Imagine that your boss compliments you on a presentation. You respond by saying, “That presentation? It was terrible! I can do so much better!” This response is bad for two reasons. First, you shouldn’t criticize yourself or your work. Second, you may actually appear to be fishing for MORE compliments. No one likes it when people fish for compliments.
  3. Using negative body language – If someone compliments your work, you shouldn’t respond by making a face or silently shaking your head “no.” It’s kind of the same thing as putting yourself down – but using body language instead of words.

So what should you do when someone compliments your efforts? Make eye contact, smile, and say “thank you.” Simple! And don’t forget to return the favor. Make sure to compliment your coworkers when they do impressive work!

 

Boogaard, K. (n.d.). 5 mistakes you’re making when accepting compliments. The Muse. Retrieved from https://www.themuse.com/advice/5-mistakes-youre-making-when-accepting-compliments