Let's just pretend for a moment that your assignment is to work on a difficult project for the boss. (Note: The boss in this story is female because I just don't want to type "he and/or she" when describing "the boss" throughout the article).
Finally, you're finished with the project! You knock on the boss's door, hand the boss the paperwork and she tells you she'll read it over. Nothing more is said. You leave the office and go back to your desk. You're feeling pretty good about what you've done.
A week goes by. The boss hasn't said anything to you about the project. You begin to question yourself and your abilities. Was the project you worked on done poorly? You remember when you took the paperwork into the boss that the only thing the boss said to you was that she would read it over. No "thank you", no grumble, no nothing.
Now you start to get into your own paranoia. Has the boss even read it? There are no indications. You try to go about your regular duties but it's starting to eat at you . Now you worry whether or not you can do anything right. You start to beat yourself up over this.
You're thinking all these things when the boss walks over to your desk, and in a serious-sounding tone, she asks you to come into her office to visit. Your stomach does a flip. You get up from your desk, walk into the boss's office, and sit down. You can feel your blood pressure beginning to climb. You see the paperwork for the project is on her desk and she picks it up. You don't know what's going on and you're nervous.
The boss takes a deep breath and says to you, "Carrie, I've been meaning to tell you how much I appreciate the work you did on the project. I've finished reading it and I want to thank you for going the extra mile. You did an excellent job!"
Whew...you can breathe again. Back to your desk you go -- but now, it's with a much different attitude. You feel good. You're proud of the work you've done.
Sometimes the people we work for -- the people we work with -- the people we supervise -- don't hear those compliments very often.
Next time you have an opportunity to tell someone in your office something positive -- take it. It won't cost you a dime -- it's FREE!
Here's a resource if you'd like to read more about compliments: http://www.complimentday.com
