Do this the next time you say something nice about someone

Michelle Woo
Forge
Published in
1 min readJun 9, 2021

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💌 Tip: Give a compliment that’s “sticky.”

“You’re amazing!” “Great job!” “You rock!” These words are nice, albeit unmemorable. To share a compliment that stays in person’s psyche, that gives them life, that pushes them forward and ensures they think fondly of you, make sure it’s sticky.

On Medium, Barry Davret writes about what that means: “Compare these two compliments, and you’ll see what makes the second so effective. Compliment one: You’re a great writer. Compliment two: You’ve really mastered the art of triggering vivid images with your descriptive sentences. The one about northern cardinal birds mating is still etched in my mind.” The latter is more genuine and plays up a skill the person takes pride in. When you choose your words with great care, it’s not just the compliment that will stick in the recipient’s mind. You will, too.

😎 More from Forge on making a good impression:

To Make a Good First Impression, Use These 3 Nonverbal Cues
Read more >>

What Your “Liking Gap” Can Teach You About First Impressions
Read more >>

The One Thing to Remember on Your First Day at a New Job
Read more >>

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Michelle Woo
Forge

Author of Horizontal Parenting: How to Entertain Your Kid While Lying Down (Chronicle Books)