MAY-I make your day
Discover why giving compliments is so important.
Why is complimenting so important
Giving criticism is often easy; sometimes out of genuine disagreement, sometimes out of insecurity, envy, or even as a character trait.
Giving compliments, on the other hand, is much more difficult, but also more effective and kinder. How often do you hear: 'well done', 'nice to see you', or 'nice that you stepped in'? With sincere gestures, you can make a world of difference; one compliment can change someone's day.
Nowadays, people feel down more easily. On social media, at school, at work, and even at home, people often hear or see what could be improved, but less often what is (already) good, what is going well, or what they have accomplished well. Even the smallest compliments or gestures can have a huge impact.
The science behind compliments
Giving and receiving compliments causes your brain to produce dopamine and oxytocin, making both the giver and the receiver feel better. Compliments also strengthen relationships, trust, and motivation. People often underestimate how positive compliments are, even though they are a simple and powerful way to make yourself and others happier.
Kumar, A., & Epley, N. (2020). "A little compliment goes a long way: Underestimating the positive impact of compliments."
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
Awkward, but worth it
People often underestimate how nice it is to receive compliments, which sometimes makes giving them feel awkward. In reality, recipients usually appreciate compliments even more than the giver expects.
It starts with you
The person giving a compliment also experiences a positive “feel-good” boost, because the brain responds positively to kind behavior, which is known in psychology as the helper’s high or the prosocial behavior effect. With every positive compliment or gesture, you feel better and happier and gain inspiration to tackle things.
It is our mission to inspire others to share this positive energy and thereby create a better world, starting with yourself.