I read a great article the other day in The Providence Journal. About two guys at Purdue University who are doing something we all should try to do. Brett Westcott and Cameron Brown are called "The Compliment Guys." Every Wednesday they stand at the center of campus and offer compliments to hundreds of passersby.
Westcott, quoted in another article posted on the Purdue University website, says "the pair has given thousands of free compliments, sometimes requiring quick thinking and machine-gun delivery during busy passing periods. Typical objects of praise are people's shoes, pants, jackets, hats, sunglasses, scarves, backpacks, hairstyles and smiles." And the reaction has been wonderful. Here's two more quotes from the Purdue website:
"These guys brighten my day every Wednesday," said Rachel Taylor, a junior from Fairplay, Colo., who recently repaid a compliment on her plaid jacket with snack food she had purchased for herself. "They are so much fun!" Graduate student Richard Severe comments "Whatever they can come up with at the time they will compliment you on. It feels good. I try to throw compliments back to acknowledge them."
Those readers who have taken my "Managing People" and "Leadership Skills" programs know how important it is to build rapport with employees by practicing "management by walking around;" spending a few minutes each day in social conversation with each employee. But we all know that sometimes we get busy and don't have time for even a few minutes of social conversation. So take a lesson from "The Compliment Guys" and give a compliment as you pass by. You don't have to stop to do it, and I think you'll find your employees will love it.
Click here to see the entire article on the Purdue University website.
About me: Dan Pelley offers a series of five programs leading to a Certificate in Supervisory Management. The five programs are "Managing People,: "Leadership Skills," "Managing For Results," "Proactive Leadership," and "Participative Management." 137 companies in Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New York have one or more people who earned this certificate.
Copyright © 2009 Daniel W. Pelley
All rights reserved.
Westcott, quoted in another article posted on the Purdue University website, says "the pair has given thousands of free compliments, sometimes requiring quick thinking and machine-gun delivery during busy passing periods. Typical objects of praise are people's shoes, pants, jackets, hats, sunglasses, scarves, backpacks, hairstyles and smiles." And the reaction has been wonderful. Here's two more quotes from the Purdue website:
"These guys brighten my day every Wednesday," said Rachel Taylor, a junior from Fairplay, Colo., who recently repaid a compliment on her plaid jacket with snack food she had purchased for herself. "They are so much fun!" Graduate student Richard Severe comments "Whatever they can come up with at the time they will compliment you on. It feels good. I try to throw compliments back to acknowledge them."
Those readers who have taken my "Managing People" and "Leadership Skills" programs know how important it is to build rapport with employees by practicing "management by walking around;" spending a few minutes each day in social conversation with each employee. But we all know that sometimes we get busy and don't have time for even a few minutes of social conversation. So take a lesson from "The Compliment Guys" and give a compliment as you pass by. You don't have to stop to do it, and I think you'll find your employees will love it.
Click here to see the entire article on the Purdue University website.
About me: Dan Pelley offers a series of five programs leading to a Certificate in Supervisory Management. The five programs are "Managing People,: "Leadership Skills," "Managing For Results," "Proactive Leadership," and "Participative Management." 137 companies in Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New York have one or more people who earned this certificate.
Copyright © 2009 Daniel W. Pelley
All rights reserved.
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