If you can't say something nice ...

 When is the last time you gave a sincere compliment? When is the last time you received one?

A genuine compliment can make a real impact. It's an opportunity to acknowledge someone's hard work, great idea, important contribution, or simply something you appreciate about another person. (Side benefit: the compliment giver feels better, too!)

Compliments help others feel seen and valued, but we don't give them enough. We get busy and forget to acknowledge someone's important insight at a meeting earlier in the day. We don't think to tell someone how much we appreciated them going the extra mile on a last-minute project and what a difference their work meant to the outcome. 

When we give someone a genuine and honest compliment, we empower them, help build their confidence, and contribute to a positive organizational culture. And it takes so little - literally a minute or two to pause and tell someone what you think they did well, what you appreciate, and what you value in them and their work. 

I encourage you to make it a point to give at least one genuine compliment, especially on January 24 (National Compliment Day!), and maybe even make it a daily practice. It's a practice that will not only benefit the person receiving the compliment, but your whole team and organization. People want to stay and contribute to a place where they feel appreciated, and an easy place to start is sharing words of appreciation and positive feedback.

Want to learn a bit more about "The Power of Positive Feedback"? Check out this article.

Or nervous you don't know how to give a sincere compliment? (It's okay. Some of us are out of practice!) Here's a handy resource.

I'll start: I appreciate YOU for taking time to invest in your own well-being and growing yourself. And I know that by doing that, you are being a role model for others as well. Thank you!