When was the last time someone gave you a sincere and meaningful compliment—something you knew was from the heart and that made you glow inside? If you're like most people, the answer is probably something like: “The last compliment? What year is this?” Have you ever met someone who complained about getting too many compliments or about being fussed over too much?
Write down ten customer names, then write down one thing you could do to compliment each one. Put a smiley-face everywhere you look as a reminder that giving compliments makes people glow inside.
It was hard for people to figure out why they liked playing golf with Harry. He was an average golfer, but was it something he did that drew people to him and made them want to golf with him? Finally, one of his colleagues figured it out. When you hit a good golf shot, Harry complimented you: “Boy, you're really going to like that shot. What a great shot.” When you sliced one, took a Mulligan, or heard the ball plop into the water, he supported you: “You know what? That's what I seem to do all the time.” He had a way of minimizing your mistakes and maximizing your successes. In a world that is waiting to criticize, a compliment has incredible power. Find ways to give your prospects one compliment every time you talk with them.
TAKEAWAY
Beware when giving compliments to make sure
they are sincere. People instantly know the
difference between saccharine and sugar.