International Day of the Compliment

Knowing how to give a compliment is a powerful skill. The global initiative World Compliment Day brings encouragement and a sense of wellbeing to our society, spreading joy through the simple process of verbalising appreciation for others.

Compliments cost nothing, make people happy, and build trust. However, they aren’t always simple: we often hesitate to give them out of awkwardness, and we struggle to receive them without deflecting.

Ultimately, how you deliver praise is just as important as what you say. Whatever you express must be honest and sincere, as true appreciation will naturally reflect in your body language and tone.

How to give a compliment

Look the person in the eye

Making direct eye contact speaks volumes about your sincerity and shows you are fully present.

Address them by name

Using their name personalises the moment, grabs their attention, and makes the praise feel truly meaningful.

Add a smile

A warm, genuine smile ensures they perceive your compliment exactly as you intended.

Be specific

Pinpoint the exact detail that impressed you so they know precisely what they did well and what they can repeat in future.

Example: “Erina, that spreadsheet you produced was really helpful – the colours were a really good way to differentiate tasks”. 

Don’t overdo it

Avoid going overboard with a long stream of niceties. While it might seem like a surefire way to build a reputation as a positive and respectful professional, excessive praise can backfire. If you constantly compliment everyone and everything, your words will soon lose their value and sincerity.

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Want to learn more about how to give and receive compliments?

Enrol in our online course Assert Yourself! (Assertiveness Skills).

For in-house training information, download our PDF course outline for the Assertiveness Skills at Work workshop.

We’ll teach you how to express your appreciation with confidence, set healthy communication boundaries, and accept well-earned praise gracefully without feeling awkward.

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Liz Paine
Learning Insight Founder & Lead Instructor
Phone: 0400 778807
Email: Contact form