Back in the day, I knew a guy who would never compliment anyone. It was like pulling teeth to say anything nice, even when it was well deserved. A stoic to the core, he was a puzzle for everyone ...

When it comes to giving negative feedback at work, the so-called "compliment sandwich"—praise, criticism, praise—may no longer be effective, according to ongoing research from the Ivey Business School ...

Everyone knows that the internet kind of has its own language. What that means is that people online simply interact a little differently than in real life — they use various expressions, words, ...

It completely makes my day when someone compliments me. They could comment on my hair, scent, personality—anything really—and I'll instantly feel lighter and happier. I also love giving compliments, ...

Not all compliments are what they seem. Some are genuine reflections of who you are. Others are subtle contracts offered with a smile, but laced with expectation. Compliments can be disarming. They ...

Someone says something that sounds nice on the surface but leaves you with that nagging feeling in your gut. Was that actually a compliment, or did you just get low-key insulted? Those sneaky little ...

Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Design by Vivien Wang. The other week, my roommate and I were talking about our favorite ...

It feels good to make other people feel good, and being generous with words of affirmation is an easy way to do it. Telling a friend that he’s wearing a great watch or how you envy his people skills ...

We've all learned the lesson that if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all. Yet some people find their way around that sage piece of advice. They hide their mean comments with a smile ...

Many of us struggle with this issue. Someone pays us a compliment and we deflect or minimize the kind words, as if doing so will make us seem humble or at least not look arrogant. We receive ...

Want to stay current with Arthur’s writing? Sign up to get an email every time a new column comes out. A few weeks ago, I wrote about how to give and take criticism well. As important as that is for ...