What is the best work-related compliment you have ever received?

Anonymous

December 3,2021 at 2:30PM UTC

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What is the best work-related compliment you have ever received?

Sometimes we can get caught in the cycle of disempowering thoughts and mentalities about ourselves at work. While it's admirable to always want to do better and strive for improvement, doing so is harder without celebrating yourself often!

? So to close out our week, let's hear what our community is good at, positive feedback you've been given, or compliments related to your work. Share below, and celebrate each other, together! ⬇️

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AnonymousDecember 3,2021 at 3:25PM UTC
I've received several compliments about my work throughout the years, which I'm thankful for. But a month ago, I received the best compliment ever, after working for 8 years in this company, it made me really think.
It happened after a zoom call, where the director emailed all of us (including the big boss) and extended a thank you to me for lifting their spirits. I made them laugh and "lifted their spirits" during a hectic day.
I have not received a more touching compliment than that in all my years working there. I felt seen, acknowledged, and that everyone is feeling the same lack of community and joy during these times.
When someone compliments me on my work, or quality projects etc I'm thankful.
But I've noticed that I'm most flattered and surprised when I get compliments that point to my blindspots, and some of those blindspots could be my biggest strengths.
And I want to focus on that, the strengths I don't know I have.
Lesa Edwards, Career Coach & Master Resume WriterDecember 3,2021 at 4:03PM UTC
So good!
AnonymousDecember 3,2021 at 3:33PM UTC
Being called quietly influential. I'm proud I can make things happen without having to yell or throw my weight around.
Lesa Edwards, Career Coach & Master Resume WriterDecember 3,2021 at 4:02PM UTC
You're like EF Hutton - when you talk, people listen! (Apologies to the younger crowd who don't get the reference)
Amanda MayhemDecember 3,2021 at 5:22PM UTC
I love this.
Heide FramilDecember 3,2021 at 3:49PM UTC
This is so far the best compliment I have ever received: "I go to work everyday because you inspire me so much seeing you in a wheelchair and yet coming to work everyday and on time."
Lesa Edwards, Career Coach & Master Resume WriterDecember 3,2021 at 4:01PM UTC
That IS a great compliment, Heide - way to go!
Heide FramilDecember 4,2021 at 8:37AM UTC
Thank you, Lesa!
Lesa Edwards, Career Coach & Master Resume WriterDecember 3,2021 at 4:05PM UTC
Well, I hate to be one of those drop-the-mic people, but a student I had worked with at my last university came up to me a few years later at a presentation I was giving. She told me that my walking her over to the counseling center and making sure she got signed up for help SAVED HER LIFE.
AnonymousDecember 3,2021 at 6:25PM UTC
Wow she was so lucky to have you, and have you commit to ensuring her safety. You never truly know the impact of decisions like these, but happy you got that feedback.
Meaghan Wagner, Goal Guru Leadership CoachDecember 3,2021 at 4:31PM UTC
In one of my 360 peer reviews, someone gave the feedback that I "make something out of chaos" which has always make me smile!
AnonymousDecember 3,2021 at 6:24PM UTC
Wow I've never heard this compliment before but this is such an important trait to have! Congrats!
Annette ReimerDecember 3,2021 at 5:04PM UTC
I had a conversation with a former colleague this week and he mentioned he considered me his mentor. I was so touched that my help was considered to be so significant. It's the best compliment I had ever received related to work!
AnonymousDecember 3,2021 at 6:23PM UTC
Being a mentor is such a rewarding experience, and especially when it came naturally like this!
Joanne RosenDecember 3,2021 at 5:11PM UTC
You are the best trainer I've ever had. I learned more in 3 days with you than I did with others in 2 weeks.
I train people with show one, teach one, do one.
Day 1 - watch what I do while I explain. Take notes if you want.
Day 2 - Do what I did yesterday. I'll watch the entire time. When you are stuck ask. My answer is always, Tell me what you think you should do.
Day 3 - Do the job. I'll be at this desk over here if you need me.
AnonymousDecember 3,2021 at 5:39PM UTC
A compliment about calmness stands out.
A previous boss told me that he'd trust me to conduct things swiftly and calmly if there was ever a fire in the office. (I hope I never find myself in this situation!)
AnonymousDecember 3,2021 at 6:32PM UTC
A boss who is an introvert and quiet once said: You are a natural born teacher. You like other people to know what you know. I had never thought of it that way and felt really pleased that someone saw that in me.
AnonymousDecember 3,2021 at 6:35PM UTC
I feel like I have to join in on these awesome comments... one of the best compliments I've ever received was when a coworker gave me the nickname "Get-it Gabby" because once I set my mind to something, I fully commit to achieving it. Love that others see me in that way.
AnonymousDecember 4,2021 at 12:39AM UTC
A contractor told me that he and other partners we worked with considered me the true executive director of my organization. At the time, I felt like I was floundering without guidance or feedback from my leadership, so it was really helpful to hear someone with decades of experience in my field tell me he thought I was doing well.
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistDecember 4,2021 at 3:36AM UTC
When a candidate tells me I'm the best recruiter they've ever worked with, it takes my breath away.
Xu JocelynDecember 4,2021 at 11:54AM UTC
When an employer told me I have the great potential to the company
KelleyDecember 4,2021 at 2:15PM UTC
I started my current position right at the start of the pandemic, just days after things shut down. I learned everything in a remote fashion when there was no remote training in place. A few folks have mentioned how great I’ve done and how impressed they are considering how I had to learn everything. This week I got another compliment on how I got everything taken care of for a student and the way in which I did it was “spot on” according to the person who complimented me.
Dr. Sarah RatekinDecember 4,2021 at 9:31PM UTC
One of the best work-related compliments I ever got was "Even though I applied for your job, I'm so grateful YOU got it, because you've done things with this program nobody could have even imagined, and I know you're just getting started!" ♥
AnonymousDecember 5,2021 at 10:47AM UTC
Being told by my boss I was an asset to the company and thanked for taking the initiative to do things differently to how they had always been done. This was 3 months into a new job and I had never been given such compliments before at work!
Also had a coworker tell me after a phonecall (when I first started and wasnt quite sure exactly what I was meant tk say or do!) that she always admired my confidence on the phone and how I was always friendly and helpful. I really appreciated that as she was a great phone answerer and thought she was great at it too. That really boosted my confidence on the phone after that so I was very grateful to her❤
Maria MolinariDecember 5,2021 at 2:22PM UTC
I did a presentation on one of the internal systems to gain more engagement. Not my supervisor but the department manager said to me, “thank you for your leadership Maria”. Something super simple to say and it shaped my entire career! It changed the way I viewed my work and the person I worked under.
Marla FieldsDecember 5,2021 at 4:55PM UTC
My boss from 2 jobs ago gave me this recommendation when I was moving to another position with a different company when asked would you hire her again - "Well the only reason you have an opportunity to hire her at all is that I don't have a req right now so you should feel lucky!" I was so happy I couldn't stop smiling.
Deb AllenDecember 5,2021 at 6:14PM UTC
I enjoy being told that I am "their go-to as they know I get it done". I work heavily with sales people and their management so in that space I see it as a great compliment.
Juanita JamesDecember 6,2021 at 3:12PM UTC
I received that comment several times throughout my career at my current job.
Evelyn LivantDecember 5,2021 at 11:44PM UTC
"The cream always rises to the top." A manager once told me that I would always succeed because of my character. It has been many years since I heard that. I'm on a new job and my supervisor (who is a great personal colleague) told me that most people do not get bonuses in their first year. I was just given a bonus!
AnonymousDecember 5,2021 at 11:47PM UTC
"We had no idea what it was like to have a real Executive Assistant on this team before you. You make our work lives so much easier." Similar things have been said to me by my team at my last job.
AnonymousDecember 6,2021 at 2:53PM UTC
I recently left a job for a better opportunity and during my exit interview, I was told that I was a valued employee and that the door was always open for me to come back. I was shocked, but in a good way!
Allison M PayneDecember 6,2021 at 3:02PM UTC
At one publishing job, I handled the proofreading of all layouts once they were designed. One day after I'd corrected several errors in a layout, the graphic designer said, "If you were a superhero, you'd be The Proofreader." :-)
DeBorah S. WalkerDecember 6,2021 at 4:45PM UTC
The best work related compliment I have received...is when a few clients personsally called my boss to express how professionally pleasant I was...and by boss was pleased and put me on another new account.
Clydene HorriganDecember 6,2021 at 11:31PM UTC
We have three large customers that have been with us for decades. One customer bought a new product which would be integrated with four of our products snd their accounting system. We had never done one of these projects, and the project struggled for three years. After taking over the project, we were able to go live nine months later. The executive sponsor at the customer thanked me and my boss for restoring her faith in my company!
Karen GongawareDecember 7,2021 at 6:47PM UTC
I was told that I completely changed how people/students saw Student Services Counseling. Went from "what a joke" to "can we talk" after I stepped into the position. Nice to know I am making a difference in a positive manner.
Mary JohnsonDecember 8,2021 at 5:57PM UTC
As someone who had to use her work's EAP last year, you will have no real idea of how nice it is for someone to find that the counseling system is nice/easy to use etc. I dreaded calling our helpline but they helped me every step of the way through leaving my relationship and getting back on my feet mentally and physically. So on behalf of these students, you've helped, thank you for making it such a nicer place to ask for help x
Mary Lee Gannon, ACC, CAEDecember 8,2021 at 1:53PM UTC
I was told by the president that I have great executive presence. And I was told yesterday by a board member that I’m the best president the organization ever had.
Mary JohnsonDecember 8,2021 at 5:59PM UTC
Before I moved to the role I do now, I was my line manager (very senior director) EA - I now report to him in a different role. We were talking about a client, and I said his EA had recently won 'EA of the year' at an event and he replied, 'good for her, but if you were still an EA, you'd be walking these awards'. Now he champions me as an expert in our database (used for opportunities, clients contacts etc) and will 'pimp' me out to other very senior teams globally to help them build their dashboards.
Also having external clients saying when they wanted to poach my boss in the future, they would only take him if I came with him. Or a senior manager saying 'you can't ever leave him, he'll be lost without you'.
Nice that not only does he see what I do but others too and that it is appreciated.
Phyllis ReidDecember 8,2021 at 6:15PM UTC
"The program, the teens, we, the company; we cant' imagine what it would be without you." "Me, what does it have to do with me, why me? "Because you are so good;" we just can't do it without you!" Yet, they would not give me a fair and reasonable salary increase which was way less than the market price. The sad thing was I loved my job, the parents and children loved me and the quality of work I provided.
TheodoraDecember 9,2021 at 4:20PM UTC
My creative director said she could quit or go on a sabbatical and have no worries about my department thriving. Women empowering women is a beautiful thing!