Mastering Compliments: 5 Key Benefits for Social & Emotional Growth

Posted on January 14, 2025

Compliments: Simple gestures of kindness that serve as powerful tools for fostering emotional growth and building healthy relationships.

They contribute to our mental health and well-being -- by enhancing self-awareness, improving self-management, helping us build and maintain positive relationships, and supporting responsible decision-making.

Mastering the art of compliments
  • The importance of “specific” compliments
    Compliments should be genuine and specific. Instead of generic praise, focus on specific actions or traits that reflect real growth. For example, saying, “I really appreciate how you stayed calm during that test,” offers feedback that helps reinforce the recipients personal development.
  • Focus on growth and choices
    Rather than pointing out aspects such as someone's looks or clothing, compliment the things that growth and improvement, such as how  they approached something, good choices or progress they made, etc.
How compliments can change lives

Sincere compliments can truly help others grow.
Here are 5 ways they benefit those around you.

  • Recognizing Strengths: Compliments help people recognize their strengths and positive traits. For instance, saying, "You did an amazing job on that project," encourages that person to recognize their skills and boosting their self-esteem.
  • Improving Emotional Regulation: Compliments can improve someone's emotional regulation by reinforcing constructive actions. For example, praising someone for staying calm in a challenging situation, such as saying, "You managed that really well," not only lifts their mood but also strengthens their resilience and control of their emotions.
  • Acknowledging and Validating: Compliments serve as a way to acknowledge and validate others’ emotions, fostering social awareness and empathy. Complimenting someone for their kindness or creativity demonstrates an understanding of their impact and helps strengthen social connections.
  • Fostering Trust and Building Connection: Offering sincere compliments strengthens relationships by showing appreciation and building trust. Compliments like, “Your dedication to this project is admirable,” reinforce positive behaviors and help create stronger, more supportive connections.
  • Encouraging Positive Actions: Compliments that praise responsible choices encourage continued positive behavior. For example, praising someone for their decision to help others motivates them to keep making responsible choices.

 

 

Compliments are much more than kind words—they are valuable tools for promoting social and emotional development. When used thoughtfully, compliments can inspire growth, empathy, and resilience.  So, when complimenting others be sure to:

  • Be specific

  • Be sincere

  • Be thoughtful

  • Highlight strengths

  • Be respectful

  • Encourage positive behaviors

  • Focus on strengthening relationships

 

Check out our blog post A Compliment Goes A Long Way: 50 compliments you can give right now. Learn 50 quick and easy compliments you can share with those around you today.

Educators! Take on the Respectful Ways Compliments Challenge!

Engage your students with our Daily Compliments Challenge:

Monday: Compliment someone for their positive attitude

Tuesday: Compliment someone for being helpful

Wednesday: Compliment someone for their kindness

Thursday: Compliment someone for their achievement

Friday: Compliment someone for their ideas

 

 

Author: Kim Celotto for Respectful Ways

Respectful Ways offers trauma-informed social-emotional learning curriculum for four age groups: PreK-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12. Students engage with interactive, digital modules covering compassion, perseverance, respect and responsibility.

 

 

This entry was posted in Blogs, RW In The News, SEL News. Bookmark the permalink.