Compliments mean more than you think. I say that not just as a motivational speaker, but also as a business person. And in a business setting, compliments can be your personal super power.
I was talking with one of my clients recently who is the CEO of a massive insurance company. He told me a story about a conversation he had with a client of his who is the CEO of a large construction company.
He shared a compliment with this client, telling him what a great job he was doing growing his business. He really laid it out there and told this client exactly what he thought. And immediately afterward, he wanted to pull back the compliment because it just felt too vulnerable. It was too awkward; we don’t tend to offer up From-The-Heart compliments with business connections…it just feels weird.
Compliments Fuel Business (As Much as They Fuel Happiness.)
But he was delighted and surprised to learn that the power of a compliment, even in a business setting with high achieving people, is ridiculously powerful and has an amazing affect. The insurance guy was already close with this client, but his compliment took their relationship to an entirely new level. He was reminded that GENUINE compliments serve business.
What the Heck is a Soft Chewy Center?
We all have both hard exterior shells, AND soft chewy centers. (Think of a chocolate or an M&M.) We have a tough shell at work. We don’t want to be too vulnerable or too needy…it’s just weird. So our Outer Shell protects us. It’s normal and necessary.
But we also have a soft chewy center. This is the part of us that craves the feeling of being respected. Of being heard. Of being important. This is the part of us that melts when somebody we respect gives us genuine encouragement and recognition. Generally speaking, we Americans focus too much on the Outer Shell, and too rarely on the Soft Chewy Center.
Investing in others pays big
My point is this: nourishing the soft chewy center in others by well-placed, authentic and genuine compliments and encouragement makes you powerful. Sure it helps others. But trust me when I say it helps you to get more out of yourself and those around you.
Brad Montgomery’s super powers include making people laugh, breaking hard exterior shells, and empowering people to improve. He most often uses these powers on stage while presenting meaningful keynote addresses to audiences of all sizes. Find out more about how Brad can nourish the soft, chewy center of your group.
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