How to Respond to a Compliment.

Compliments, no matter how big or small, have the power to make someone’s day – or even week. But it can be hard to know how to respond to a compliment appropriately, especially if it’s given in the workplace or via an email.

Too much or too little gratitude can feel inappropriate and it’s especially easy to overthink your response. Thankfully we’ve put together a helpful guide for professional responses to compliments at work.

The importance of compliments at work.

It’s a strange quirk that affects many of us, but compliments that should leave us feeling proud can often leave us feeling embarrassed. Regardless of whether compliments make you beam or blush, it’s important to recognise their role in the workplace.

Workplace compliments can greatly improve the overall mood and can be an effective way of making staff feel appreciated.

Here’s a short list detailing how compliments at work can be useful:

• Shows your appreciation – This may seem obvious, but compliments are a quick and easy way to show how happy you are with someone and their work. A quick compliment can serve as both a form of recognition and a thank you for someone’s achievements.
• Creates a positive company culture – Your actions will have an impact on company culture, no matter your seniority. Sharing a compliment about a recent project or piece of work is an easy way to foster a grateful, and empathetic culture in the workplace.
• Can help increase productivity - Research has revealed that 77.9% of employees would be more productive if they were recognized more frequently. So, a simple compliment can help boost the employee work rate.
• Boost overall happiness – Complimenting someone can increase their happiness, but research has shown it can also increase yours.
• Help you connect with others – We’re likely to remember those who compliment us, for obvious reasons, so you may find that complimenting your colleagues can be a great way to build on relationships. Just remember, they have to be sincere and authentic compliments, so telling everyone you like their work just to schmooze will get you nowhere fast.

How to respond to compliments at work.

So, you’ve just been complimented. What’s your best course of action? Swear fealty to the person that complimented you? Curtsey? Try and blend into the wallpaper in the hope they stop speaking with you? If your first thought was any of these, we’re here to help.

The first step is to not overthink it – but we know that’s easier said than done. For a little more guidance, here are some key tips to remember when you need to respond to a compliment.

• Reply directly to the person to acknowledge the compliment – Addressing the person directly is one of the best ways to show the compliment is meaningful to you. It’s seen as common courtesy, but the details of how you respond is up to you. Try to gauge it by the level of compliment offered. Often saying a simple thank you to your colleague will suffice, but use your best judgment.
• Show that you appreciate the compliment – This can be as straightforward as saying, “I appreciate the compliment.” If the compliment is shared in person, you can also show your gratitude nonverbally. This might be a simple smile, or a sincere handshake to show your thanks.
• Acknowledge the wider team – If you’re complimented for a group project then acknowledging the wider team can encourage the person giving the compliment to share the sentiment with others. It’s important to recognise the impact your colleagues have made and make sure everyone gets the recognition they deserve.
• Try to stay humble – If you’re already struggling to take a compliment then this may not apply but try to not let it go to your head. Modesty is always a good skill to have, and while you should certainly allow yourself to feel pleased about the compliment, it’s best to remain respectful.
• Return the compliment by giving positive feedback yourself – The compliments don’t have to stop with you. If the person complimenting you played a part in your achievement, be sure to let them know how essential they were or how you couldn’t have done it without them.

Examples of professional responses to compliments.

We’ve put together a selection of responses to workplace compliments. Feel free to use these or edit them to suit your needs. Notice how the tone of voice changes based on the seniority of the person giving the feedback. See how to respond to a compliment from someone:

Junior to you.

• Thank you for the compliment, it really means a lot! It’s been great to see all the effort you’re putting into your work.
• I appreciate the feedback, it’s fantastic to hear from members of the team! Thanks 😊

At the same level as you.

• Thank you! It’s been wonderful working alongside you, I couldn’t have done it without you.
• That’s really kind of you. Likewise, you’ve done an amazing job and it’s clear we make a strong team!

Senior to you.

• Thank you so much, I really appreciate all the guidance and expertise you’ve given me when working on this.
• Cheers, it was great having your support and trust when working on this. I’m looking forward to the next project!

Editable response ideas to help you say thank you for a compliment.

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Good to know.

How do I thank someone for a compliment?

The best way to thank someone is to not overthink it and say what you feel. Thank them and let them know you’re happy to receive the compliment. The best thank you messages are honest and sincere, so follow your instincts.

How to respond to appreciation from your boss?

Depending on your relationship with your boss, you might not need to adjust your standard ‘thank you’ response at all. Usually, a simple respectful thank you note will suffice. If not, you can respond in person or via email, whichever feels most appropriate at the time.

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