Normally we ignore the power of a compliment, not knowing how deep and magical a simple compliment can be. Unfortunately, the act of praising is easily forgotten in the chaos of our daily lives. The truth is that a single kind word, a simple, genuine, and unexpected compliment can change a person’s day.

A single compliment is like a caress for the soul. It can bring joy, strength, and courage to human souls. To give someone else a compliment is a way to recognize another person for something in particular, and it is a way to show others love and kindness, which always generates a good impact in someone else’s life and never the opposite. Think about it this way, most of us have received a compliment at least once in our lives. Do you remember how you felt when that happened? It feels great, isn’t it?

That’s the power of a compliment; it always makes someone happier and not the opposite. A compliment can make someone else’s day, and if we can make someone happy, why wouldn’t we? But for a compliment to be effective, it must meet the following requirements: It has to be kind, show respect, be genuine and be totally honest otherwise the effect will be the opposite. After all, a compliment is a kind and sincere word expressed by a person to praise, to lift and to make other person happy.

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” – Leo Buscaglia

If you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m not only talking about compliments that focus on someone else’s appearance, but I’m talking about those compliments that focus in something much deeper and essential as the spirit, behaviors and attitudes of human beings. In a world where superficiality wins, is great to be recognized for doing things right. Every small word of kindness is always appreciated and the impact can be greater than expected.

On the other hand, a compliment is not only beneficial for the other person but for you as well, because as you already might know: what goes around comes around. If you have the habit of giving compliments, you are very likely to be the person who will also receive compliments. There is also another benefit you will receive by giving others a compliment, which can generate an impact in your life. That benefit is the reward you get from praising others for a job well done, because when you give a compliment for it, you encourage that person, and it is very sure that person will continue or even improve on doing something.

“Kind words do not cost much. Yet they accomplish much.” – Blaise Pascal

For instance, if one of your employees has done a good job, and you recognize the effort, say a few kind words like – Well done today! How do you think that person is going to feel? And how do you think it will act in the future? Definitely, the result of those simple words will create a huge impact. The person will appreciate those words and will feel good about it, which will act as a motivation to keep up the good work. The reward for you will be to have a happy employee who will keep up the good work. The same example acts for everything, parents with their children, relationships between couples, or siblings, or friends, colleagues, employees and customers, and with everyone you surround yourself with. If you give sincere compliments to people around you, it will generate a positive impact in their lives and yours as well.

That’s what I have experienced many times, for example, one day I was working as a waitress for a special event in a Hotel, there were more than 400 people and my colleagues and managers were more stressed than ever, the work was hard and tiring, and after several hours I began to feel fatigued all over my body, but that didn’t erase my smile from my face, but I was indeed tired, and I desperately needed some peace of mind. When everything finished and every guest was leaving, an old man came and said to me – Thank you for tonight, you have done a great job! I know this is hard work and I hope you get some kind of reward for it, and he left. What he didn’t know was that his own compliment was a reward to me. He made me feel that all the hard work was worth it, which motivated me to keep doing a good job.

A single compliment can be simple words for you, but huge words for someone else. A compliment is a gift you give to another and it can mean nothing to you but a lot to someone else. Therefore, do not underestimate the power of a compliment. Do not let a day pass without giving someone else a sincere compliment, no matter how big or small, you may not know it, but you can brighten someone else’s day!