Glasses Half Full: My Accidental Compliment Crusade
How 10 awkward attempts at kindness can turn you into a compliment connoisseur
"A compliment is verbal sunshine." - Robert Orben
Picture this: I'm standing in line at my local coffee shop, Heartwood Coffee, casually trying to blend in with the hipster crowd that arrives around 9:00 a.m.
I'm wearing my new chunky, bold black glasses - you know, the kind that scream "I'm nerdy, but I know it.”
Suddenly, the barista - who has more tattoos than exposed skin - looks at me and says, "Those glasses are awesome! They really suit you. You look like you could recommend a great book."
Now, I'm not sure if "walking library catalog" was the look I was going for, but hey, I'll take it!
That unexpected compliment didn't just make my day - it turned me into a compliment-giving machine.
Suddenly, I was Oprah with kind words: "You get a compliment! And you get a compliment! Everybody gets a compliment!"
So, in the spirit of spreading kindness (and maybe a little bit because I was riding a compliment high), I decided to embark on a 10-stranger compliment crusade.
Here's how it really went down over the course of one day:
Compliment #1: To the barista who remembered my usual order: "I'm always impressed by how you remember everyone's preferences. It makes this place feel like a second home!"
Compliment #2: To an older gentleman at the outdoor mall near the coffee shop: "The way you're playing with your grandkids is beautiful. They adore you!"
Compliment #3: To a fellow speaker/facilitator who I admire (by e-mail): "I want you to know how much you have inspired me. Each time we talk, I learn something new. You are amazing!"
Compliment #4: To a guy on the rowing machine next to me at Lifetime Fitness: "Your dedication is inspiring. I've seen you here consistently for weeks, and it's motivating me to stick to my own routine."
Compliment #5: To the cashier at Trader Joe’s: "Thank you for being so friendly. Your positive energy really makes a difference!"
Compliment #6: To my daughter, Teilah: "I am so impressed with how you're juggling your classes, new job, and grad school applications. I'm not just proud, I'm in awe of you!”
Compliment #7: To my neighbor who is gardening just about every single day: "Your garden is always so beautiful. The care you put into it really shows, and it brightens up the whole street."
Compliment #8: To a fellow speaker I met at a conference: "I just watched your TED talk online. The way you connected personal stories with actionable advice was really powerful. You've inspired me to rethink how I structure my own presentations."
Compliment #9: To the IT support person who was helping me with my new phone: "I really appreciate your patience in explaining things. You really have a gift for making complex issues understandable. That is so rare."
Compliment #10: To myself in the mirror: "You're doing great, Scott. Your efforts to spread courage are making a real impact." (Because self-love is important, folks!)
Each of these moments felt genuine, and the reactions were heartwarming.
This Week's Scare Your Soul Challenge: Compliment 10 strangers in a day
So, here's your Scare Your Soul challenge, you beautiful, brave humans: Compliment 10 strangers in one day. That's right, 10 whole strangers! Here's your game plan:
Pick your day. Maybe avoid Monday (unless you're a monster who likes extra challenge).
Keep it genuine. "Nice face!" is weird. "Your smile brightened my day!" is gold.
Vary your compliments. Mix it up - appearance, actions, energy, whatever strikes you.
Push through the awkward. Embrace the flutter of nerves - it means you're alive!
Notice how it makes YOU feel. Spoiler alert: it's awesome.
Keep a tally. It's not bragging if it's for science.
Share your experience. Use #ScareYourSoul and #ComplimentCrusade. Let's start a kindness tsunami!
Remember, this isn't about smooth delivery or poetic wordplay. It's about noticing the good in others and having the guts to say it out loud.
You might stumble over your words, you might blush harder than a tomato in a sauna, but I promise you this: by the end of the day, you'll feel like you've got compliment superpowers.
This challenge embodies what Scare Your Soul is all about - taking small, courageous actions that create positive ripples in our lives and the lives of others."
With courage, kindness, and only slightly sweaty palms,
P.S. Remember, the goal isn't perfection – it's connection. Even if you only manage one or two compliments, you're still making the world a bit brighter. And isn't that worth a little discomfort?
P.P.S. Have you taken our global workplace courage survey? It only takes 3 minutes, and I would love to hear your thoughts on what makes for a brave workplace! Thank you!