Jeremy Deedes
Helping established freelance consultants make sense of their money | Life coach and former financial life planner | Specialist in your relationship with money | Published author
Published Sep 22, 2023
Respond to compliments in a way that makes people feel listened to, acknowledged and respected to enhance your grace and style.
How do you respond when someone compliments you about your podcast, book, clothes, or achievements? What do you say when someone tells you how polite and interesting they found your son or daughter when they met?
You might be taken aback, as I was when someone complimented me over a speech I made about volunteering a few weeks ago.
And we are not used to receiving compliments, especially when they come out of the blue, so you might:
Many parents aspire to live gracefully and with style after their kids leave home. How you respond to unexpected compliments may seem unimportant. Still, it is an essential skill that sets the tone for your way of life.
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Accept the compliment with gratitude
The first thing you must do is acknowledge your fan's commitment. Saying "thank you" never hurts anyone and will give you a few seconds to think about your next step.
Next, turn the conversation away from you and towards the other person.
You might start by asking when. When did you read the book? When did you meet the children? This is non-threatening and an easy win for both of you.
Focus on them, not you.
Now, show grace and style by asking about your impact and their aspirations.
You only talk about your work if specifically asked for information.
Your intention is to be interested in the other person, to leave the other person feeling they have been listened to and acknowledged. You will be acting with grace and style by making them feel uplifted and respected.
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