Take the [bleep]ing compliment

Today I was reminded of a conversation I had with a teammate a few months back. We were talking about something we’ve both seen so often in our coaching work: how
hard it can be—especially for women—to receive a compliment.

We see it again and again: the moment someone is acknowledged for what others appreciate about them, they brush it off. Get uncomfortable. Minimize it.

We laughed when we realized that in those moments, we’re both thinking the same thing:
Take the [bleep]ing compliment.

Now, I say that with love. Because I know what it feels like to resist praise—to feel like accepting kind words somehow means you’re being arrogant or self-congratulatory. We’re taught not to take up too much space, to be humble, and to downplay our brilliance.

But what if we heard compliments differently?

What if we understood them not as ego-boosts but as strength-based feedback—clues about what’s working, what’s resonating, and what we should keep doing and maybe even amplify?

When we do that, compliments become useful, actionable and empowering.
They become aligned with our values and purpose.

And—this is important too—what if we allowed compliments to simply be what they are?
A gift. A moment of being seen, a moment to savor.
Not everything has to lead to growth or change to be valuable.

So here’s a simple invitation:

The next time someone tells you what you’re doing well, try this:

• Pause. Take it in. Reflect.
• Let it nourish you. 
• And if you choose—ask yourself: What can I learn from this? What might I keep doing—or do even more boldly?

Because you’re doing something right.
And the world needs more of it.
And you deserve to feel that.

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