Estimated reading time: 15 minutes

Your connections with your co-workers change on a daily basis. One day they’re unraveling under the stress of not meeting goals, the next they’re pulling back together to save the department. Complimenting others is a way to show empathy, an integral component of the Continuum of Civic Engagement.

But even if you don’t see eye to eye with the person in the next cubicle, you still need them in your corner to get the job done. And that’s where the art and science of giving compliments to coworkers comes into play.

Imagine trying to carry that high-stakes project across the finish line with an unmotivated team. Or meeting a client's razor-thin deadlines with no help. To thrive in the workplace, you'll need a team that wants to work with you, not just alongside you.

Now we know what you’re thinking, “I have to find nice things to say about coworkers? That won’t be easy!” But compliments for a coworker aren’t about noticing someone's new hairstyle or stylish outfit. It's about communicating the value of their effort. That’s the real secret of how to compliment a coworker.
Remember that time someone took a second out of their busy schedule, just to acknowledge how creative your latest idea was? Of course, you do. Because that compliment made you feel empowered.

Why do compliments have this effect? Because when you point out the value of someone's effort, you fire up the reward sequence in their brains.
Our brains are always on the lookout for either positive or negative feedback. It's a survival mechanism humans are hardwired with to know if something is safe or dangerous. And strategically complimenting a coworker quenches the brain's thirst for that positive feedback.

So don't worry if someone at work remembers that time you dropped the ball. Their brain won’t be able to fight the positive feeling that comes from your thoughtful and well-timed compliment.

But the wrong coworker compliment, at the wrong time, can have the opposite effect. In this article of our Continuum of Civic Engagement series, we’ll help you navigate the rough waters of crafting the right compliments for your colleagues so you can breathe new life into those hardened office connections.

Timing Positive Things To Say About a Coworker

Before you start feverishly scouring google for generic search terms like “examples of compliments for coworkers,'' let us save you some time and remember this golden rule: you must find something unique and specific to merit a compliment in the first place.

You shouldn’t compliment someone in the office for meeting a deadline or give them a pat on the back for emailing a client.

If you hand out generic compliments like business cards at a tradeshow every time someone does their job, your words will lose impact. So if you want to master the art of crafting positive compliments for coworkers, start by not overusing them.

Be patient. Wait for them to go above and beyond before you start tossing positive feedback their way. It might happen when they stay after hours, diving deep into the analytics in hopes of pulling out a new sales-boosting idea. Or when they bury themselves in mounds of paperwork to turn profits around after a bad fiscal quarter.

These are moments when having something nice to say about a coworker will hit the hardest. Because you pressed the proverbial positive feedback button, at the right time.


How To Praise a Coworker With Your Body Language

Compliments aren’t just about what you say; they're also about what you do. When you inject positive body language into your work compliments, they tend to grab people’s attention quicker. And they’re not hard to incorporate. A well-earned high-five, a gentle smile stretching from ear to ear, or a quick pat on the back can help turn kind words for coworkers into an office homerun.

Why does this happen? The answer is simple.

Our brains digest words faster when we bring them to life with our actions. When we see emotion, we respond to emotion. So think of your body language as a way to drive your point just a little bit further.

And if you’re wondering how to give kudos to a coworker, don’t overlook the power of a casual thumbs up at the end of the day.

Offering Solutions To Power Up Your Workplace Compliments

It’s past 5 o’clock, and you're dashing out the door after another hard day of work. As you’re heading out, you see one of your coworkers. Still in their office with their eyes glued to their computer. You can tell they’re in for a long night.

It suddenly hits you, this could be it! It’s a compliment-worthy moment unfolding right before your eyes. You take a second, analyze the situation and after walking over you shoot out your most thoughtful compliment. You even back it up with a classy high-five just to drive your point home.

But after all that effort, you can still see the uninspired look on their face. Your compliment didn’t hit its mark.

This is where offering solutions can add real value.

When we’re in the trenches fighting through an issue, our minds are hell- bent on finding a solution. So if you want your compliments to stick, give people what they’re searching for. A potential solution to their problem.

Adding in a quick, “you might want to try this,” or “I was thinking about the problem you’re having” will grab people’s attention right away. Not only will it help your compliments gain traction, but your coworker will see you as slightly more important. Because you’ve presented a solution to the time-sinking problem dragging them down.

Summing Things Up

Getting along with your coworkers isn’t always easy. But being complimentary can go a long way in opening up communication in the office. And if you follow the steps we’ve outlined, you’ll be surprised by the amount of connections you build in a short period of time.

But compliments aren’t the only way to build bridges with your coworkers, or even your community. Our Continuum of Civic Engagement sheds light on the different ways you can empower your community through everyday civic acts of kindness. So if you’re looking for new ways to make an impact in someone's life, our Continuum initiative is the perfect place to start.

Click here to visit the Continuum today.