Just Say "Thank You"

When someone gives you a compliment, do you sometimes feel uncomfortable?

When a colleague recognizes your contributions, do you find yourself at a loss for what to say?

It’s nice to be acknowledged.  It can also be disarming to be seen, known and singled out.

It’s natural to minimize the achievement (“oh, it was nothing”).

It’s common to feign humility (“well, Marissa did the heavy lifting”).

It’s normal to deflect attention away (“thanks, but you should have seen the amazing job Sanjay did on his project”).

But if the truth is that it wasn’t nothing, and you had an important role, and you’re grateful that they noticed, then maybe the best way to show your appreciation is to pause, look the person in the eye and respond with a sincere “Thank You”.