How to Respond to a Compliment at Work the Right Way

Many people have a love-hate relationship when it comes to compliments at work. Love: It can be incredibly validating when your boss says you crushed that presentation, or when a coworker you admire says they shared your latest report with their entire team as an example of what to aim for. Hate: It can also be seriously intimidating to be put on the spot or forced to brag about yourself.

So, it’s no wonder we’re inclined to reply to positive reinforcement by brushing it off, or worse, throwing a fake or half-hearted compliment back at the person. While well-intentioned, these aren’t the best ways to react. Here's how to respond to a compliment at work the right way.

Why is your reply important?

To understand why appropriately responding to a compliment at work matters, it’s important to understand why people give compliments in the first place. It’s about cultivating strong relationships, according to Eloise Eonnet, a Muse career coach and the founder of communication coaching service Eloquence.

“Everything that you get out of work comes from the relationships that you build,” Eonnet says. “Giving compliments is signaling two things: One, that you see that person and that you see the work that they’re doing. And then the next step of that is, ‘I am your ally.’”

Reciprocating those feelings in the form of a clear, respectful response signals back to the person who complimented you that you appreciate their feedback and ultimately value them. In other words, “it's encouraging that positive relationship building,” Eonnet says.

When we, especially women, struggle to accept a compliment (and thus respond poorly), it’s often because we’re worried about coming across as vain or stuck-up, entrepreneur KT Bernhagen previously wrote on The Muse. But, Bernhagen said, “these reactions are dangerous—for our self-confidence, for our careers, and even for our work relationships.” 

Think about receiving compliments less as a bragging opportunity and more as a guidepost for future work. “Look at it as a check on the list of things that you're doing well and a signal to keep doing things that way,” Eonnet says. “That's all it needs to be about.”

So, how to respond to a compliment at work?

With some practice, thanking a compliment can become easier. You might struggle at first, but over time, it will come off naturally. Follow these tips to offer a genuine response the next time someone compliments you in a professional setting:

1. Say “thank you”

Saying “thank you” isn’t just polite—it’s the simplest way to validate someone’s words. Easy as it is, “you’ll be surprised at how often you’re tempted to skip saying ‘Thank you’ in favor of immediately steering the conversation to something different,” Kat Boogaard, an employment advisor at a local college and freelancer who specializes in writing about careers, wrote on The Muse. 

“Yes, you might be breaking into a cold sweat at the very idea of having all of the attention focused on you,” Boogaard said. “However, resist that urge to hurriedly jump out of that spotlight so that you can at least offer a genuine response.”

2. Don’t deny or dismiss it (if you really did earn it)

The particularly humble among us may be inclined to immediately dismiss our achievements or even deny we did anything at all. Instead, “We respond by talking about the things we should have done better. We suggest that other people deserve to share the credit. We explain that there’s still so much more to be done,” Bernhagen said.

Perhaps you struggle with imposter syndrome so you feel that the work you’ve done doesn’t deserve praise, or maybe you’re just suspicious of flattery. Add to all this the fact that in some cultures, humility is heavily prized, and accepting a compliment could be perceived as having an overly superior sense of self or thinking you’re better than others. 

But by denying the feedback, Eonnet says, you’re “dismissing the power” of the compliment—in other words, you’re ignoring what it can offer you, whether it’s valuable feedback for the future or a confidence boost for right now.

When you receive a compliment, remember that someone has taken the time and effort to provide this positive feedback to you. “Undermining other people’s comments isn’t doing you any favors—and it’s only going to make your conversational partner feel pressured to continue saying nice things about you in an attempt to pad your ego,” Boogaard said.

3. Don’t reciprocate or change the spotlight—unless it’s warranted

You shouldn’t be afraid to own your accomplishments, and you also shouldn’t feel obligated to deflect the compliment onto a coworker or team or toss a compliment right back at someone just because they gave you one. “People feel like they need to give a compliment in return,” Eonnet says, but it’s not necessary. “It's really important to thank the person and fully own that moment.” 

That said, if there’s someone else that deserves just as much—if not more or all—of the credit, be honest. (Wouldn’t you want someone to pass the recognition on to you if the roles were reversed?) “Let them know you’re the wrong person to be complimenting,” Eonnet says, “and redirect them to the right person.”

For example, you could say:

• “Yes, I loved working on this project, but [Name] is the one who was responsible for its success.”

• “This was a great initiative, and [Name] is the one who led it!”

• “Thank you so much for saying that. I could not have made this happen without my team: [Name, Name, and Name]. I'm grateful for our collaboration.”

4. Acknowledge how it makes you feel

People feel good when they know they’ve made you feel good. Eonnet says it’s OK to let the person who complimented you know how their feedback resonates with you, whether it makes you feel supported or motivated or seen—but only if it “feels natural and true to you,” she adds. In other words, don’t make something up just to please them.

5. Tie it back to work

Tying your response back to work can be a great way to set up productive conversations down the road. “Think strategically about what you want out of that relationship,” Eonnet says. For example, if you’re being complimented by a client you want to work with again or renew a contract with, maybe you say something like, “Thank you, I’m so glad you feel that way. I'm really looking forward to working with you over the next couple of years.”

Or if your boss compliments you and you’re hoping to get a raise in the near future, maybe you respond with, “Thank you for saying that. It's been such a wonderful year of growth, and I'm really excited to keep growing.” This allows for no surprises when you eventually make your ask. (Here's your ultimate guide to ask for a raise and get what you're worth.) 

In short, “say something that is advancing the relationship that you want, given that you're in a position of power because they're happy with the work that you're doing,” Eonnet says. 

6. Use it as an opportunity to grow

Compliments are a signal that you’re on the right path, and an opportunity to get even better at your job. “Anyone who’s willing to give you this kind of reinforcement is also making it clear that she’s taken the time to think about a project you’ve worked on,” Richard Moy, a former recruiter, wrote on The Muse. 

Instead of saying “Thank you” and moving on with your day, you can ask for more in-depth feedback. “Take advantage of the time they are given your work and ask a few follow-up questions. Find out what they liked, why, and how they think you could duplicate those efforts in the future.”

7. Take it to heart

No matter how you respond to a compliment externally, it’s important to remind yourself that you deserve it. “Don’t just hear compliments, actually listen to them,” Boogaard said. “Not only will those kind words brighten your day, but they will also boost your confidence—meaning you’ll feel that much more comfortable the next time you’re faced with praise.”

Example responses to compliments at work

Saying “thank you” is enough in most situations. But if you’re looking for more elaborate responses, here are some alternatives you can use in different scenarios:

#1 How to respond to a compliment from a boss

Receiving positive feedback from your boss is definitely a good feeling, but it can also feel intimidating. You want to express your gratitude for the recognition without sounding unprofessional. Here's how to reply when a boss appreciates you:

• “Thank you so much, [Name]. Your encouragement is really meaningful to me/I really appreciate the feedback.”

• “Thank you for those kind words. I'm so proud of [the achievement that this compliment relates to].”

• “Thank you! It makes me feel [how you feel] to hear you say that. I’m excited for [what comes next].”

• “Thanks for saying that. It’s been great to work on [what you’re being complimented for]. I’d love to get your thoughts on [what else you’d like feedback on].”

#2 How to respond to a compliment from colleagues

Sometimes the praise comes not from a superior, but from your team members. Depending on what you are being praised for, you may want to share the credit and offer a compliment in return—especially if the positive feedback is about a task or project you developed with someone else. Here are a few ways to respond:

• “Thank you, team, I appreciate your kind words. I also want to thank you for your good work on this project, you did an amazing job.”

• “Thank you so much! It's a privilege to work with such a talented and successful team.”

• “I appreciate your feedback, I'm very proud of this achievement. Thank you so much.”

• “Thank you for the recognition. I also want to thank you for being such a great team, we did it together.”

#3 How to respond to a compliment humbly

Do you struggle to respond to compliments at work because you're afraid to sound cocky? If you want to acknowledge the compliment while also showing humility, you can offer some kind words in return. Here are some examples:

• “Thank you so much, [Name]. It makes my day to hear your positive feedback.”

• “Thank you for your kind words! I'm happy to know that you feel that way.”

• “I really appreciate you taking the time to give me feedback. Thank you so much.”

• “Thank you, [Name]! It's great to work with a supportive team!”

#4 How to respond to a compliment at work via email

Remote work is more and more common, to the point where some companies don't even have an office anymore. This means email communication is more frequent, and you might get praises in your inbox. Here's how to respond a compliment professionally via email:

Example 1: Replying to your boss's email

Hello [Name],

Thank you for taking the time to write me this email. Your encouragement and support mean a lot to me. I'm glad you liked what I did for [project or task]. I'm excited for my next challenge.

Best regards,

[You name]

Example 2: Replying to a colleague's email

Hi [Name],

Thank you so much for the feedback and kind words. It's a pleasure to be part of such a supportive and hardworking team. Your contribution to our success is also appreciated. I believe we can achieve even greater things in the next project.

Best, 

[Your name]

Example 3: Replying to a client's email

Hello [Name],

Thank you so much for this feedback. I'm always dedicated to providing the best possible service. Your satisfaction means a lot to me and to [company name].

Best regards, 

[Your name]

#5 Thanking for compliments in a informal work setting

Not all work communications are formal. Sometimes you'll find yourself receiving compliments from your best work buddy on Slack, during lunch, or in a coffee break. Other less formal occasions could include work parties or happy hours. In these situations, it's OK to be more informal, as long as you remember you're still in a professional setting. Here's how:

• “Thank you! I'm glad you feel that way.”

• “Thanks! Your feedback means a lot to me.”

• “Thank you, [Name]! I owe it to the whole team.”

• “Thank you so much! I appreciate your kind words.”

What kinds of compliments are inappropriate at work, and how should you respond?

Some compliments—or “compliments”—have no place in a professional setting. If Pete from sales is basically catcalling you as you walk by on your way to a conference room, that’s obviously not OK. However, compliments are subjective and context-dependent, which means in some cases it can be hard to identify when one borders on inappropriate. 

For example, a work friend telling you, “I love your outfit today!” is often harmless, if not flattering. But the same comment said a different way—or with a different tone—by a superior or someone you’re not as close to can come across offputting, if not creepy. Eonnet says that when in doubt, “trust your gut”—you know best how someone’s words make you feel and why you feel that way. 

When something doesn’t feel right, not responding is often the best thing you can do. “The most important thing is to pause and take your time because responding in the moment can make you flustered or even more uncomfortable,” Eonnet says. From there, she adds, figure out “what feels right to you, whether it's going to HR, or sitting down with another coworker who's above that person and having a conversation.

“If you thank someone for a compliment that sits really, really wrong with you, you’re going against your truth and what feels right to you, and you're also getting yourself into a sticky situation where the person can be like, ‘But she was fine with it. She said thank you,’” she says. 

If you feel like you have no choice but to respond, Eonnet suggests focusing your response on the work itself: “Skip the thank you, skip how it makes you feel, and go straight to, ‘It's been a really incredible project to work on.’” And then leave it at that.

Make sure you give compliments at work, too

Receiving compliments is an amazing feeling—but handing out compliments can be just as fulfilling. There’s no right or wrong frequency. “As long as it comes from an honest place, you should be giving compliments as soon as it feels appropriate,” Eonnet says.

She adds that while tying the compliment to a major success—such as closing a sales deal or hitting a revenue goal—can be a good strategy, giving compliments at random has its merits: “That’s oftentimes the most heartfelt compliments and the ones that are received with the most joy.” 

Amanda Cardoso contributed to the latest version of this article.