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The Power of Compliments: How to Give and Accept a Compliment with Confidence

Ever feel awkward when someone compliments you? You’re not alone. It’s easy to downplay, dismiss, or deflect compliments. But there’s a better way to respond to compliments. A way that shows appreciation, self-respect, and kindness. In this episode, I’m sharing 3 simple strategies to respond to compliments. Here’s what you’ll learn: #1: How to accept compliments without feeling the need to dodge or downplay them #2: Why a simple "thank you" can make you and the other person feel great #3: Ways to acknowledge compliments that strengthen your self-worth (and don’t involve saying “oh, I got it on sale”) These strategies will help you feel more comfortable accepting compliments, boost your confidence, and build stronger connections with those around you. This episode is sponsored by Cozy Earth. Visit https://cozyearth.com/jefferson and use my exclusive 40% off code JEFFERSON to give the gift of luxury this holiday season. If you get a post purchase survey, say that you heard about Cozy Earth from The Jefferson Fisher Podcast! Like what you hear? Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a 5-star review! Listen and Follow on Spotify https://bit.ly/TJFP-Spotify Listen and Follow on Apple Podcasts https://bit.ly/JFP-Apple Suggest a topic or ask a question for me to answer on the next episode! https://www.jeffersonfisher.com/topic Pre-order my new book: http://www.thenextconversation.com Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.jeffersonfisher.com/newsl... Follow me on ⁠Instagram⁠: / jefferson_fisher Follow me on ⁠LinkedIn: / jeffersonfisher Follow me on TikTok: / justaskjefferson Follow me on X/Twitter: https://x.com/jefferson_fishr

Jefferson Fisherhost
Nov 12, 202412mWatch on YouTube ↗

At a glance

WHAT IT’S REALLY ABOUT

Give, receive, and defuse compliments with clarity and confidence daily

  1. To accept compliments confidently, stop minimizing them and respond with a simple “thank you” plus what it means to you.
  2. Nonverbal acceptance matters: placing a hand on your chest signals you’re receiving the compliment as a genuine gift.
  3. Effective compliments are specific and observant, focusing on concrete behaviors or character traits rather than vague praise.
  4. Avoid complimenting through self-comparison because it shifts attention to your insecurities and weakens sincerity.
  5. For backhanded compliments, pause and reflect the words back, ask if they meant to say it out loud, or calmly say “thank you” to maintain control.

IDEAS WORTH REMEMBERING

5 ideas

Accept compliments without deflecting or self-criticizing.

Replace minimizers like “It was nothing” or “This old thing” with “Thank you—this means a lot to me,” so the giver feels their intent landed.

Treat a compliment like a gift you’re meant to receive.

Dismissing praise can unintentionally hurt the other person; acknowledging it signals you value their generosity and sincerity.

Use a hand-on-chest gesture to reinforce acceptance.

This nonverbal cue helps you “take it in,” making your gratitude feel grounded and believable rather than performative or awkward.

Make compliments specific to increase credibility and impact.

“Good job” is forgettable; naming the exact behavior—clarity, inclusion, preparation, patience—makes the praise personal and actionable.

Compliment character traits and subtle behaviors, not just appearances.

Observing kindness, patience, or how someone made others feel included often lands deeper than comments about clothes or tangible items.

WORDS WORTH SAVING

5 quotes

The right compliment can change your entire day. A bad compliment can ruin it.

— Jefferson Fisher

The key with compliments is learning how to accept them, not send them away.

— Jefferson Fisher

Because when somebody's complimenting you and they mean it, it's a, it's a gift. It really is.

— Jefferson Fisher

Whenever you give these surface level general compliments like, "Good job out there. Good job today. Hey, you look great," you need to follow up with the why.

— Jefferson Fisher

Did you mean to say that out loud? Did you mean to say that out loud?

— Jefferson Fisher

Saying thank you without downplayingNonverbal cues (hand on chest)Compliments as “gifts” and emotional impactSpecificity and the “why” behind praiseObserving character traits vs. physical attributesAvoiding comparison-based complimentsPhrases for backhanded compliments in meetings

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