It takes only a tiny bit more effort to turn a vague comment into the kind of praise that will make someone’s day. Here are the three basic components of an effective compliment:
Use their name
It sounds simple, but it’s impossible to emphasize how much it means to someone when you call them by their name. Using a person’s name tells them they’re worth your time and worth knowing.
Make your compliment as specific as possible
Instead of “you look nice,” say “That color is great on you — you should wear it more often” or “Your haircut is great — it makes you look so polished.”
Try not to praise and run
If you have the time and the desire, consider following up your compliment with a question, such as “What made you decide to spend extra time with her?” or “Where did you get that sweater?”
But just as important as asking a question is this: You have to stick around to hear the answer. While it sounds obvious, we’ve all been guilty of throwing out a “Hey, how are you?” and not waiting to find out.
