When is the last time your boss paid you a compliment. Some professional advice for the big cheese...

If you’re the boss – you may want to consider handing out some compliments today...

A new study from the University of Tokyo reveals that employees who receive some positive feedback get fired up to succeed. 

For the study, adults were divided into three groups and asked to perform the same task as fast and accurate as possible. Once completed, the first group received praise and compliments individually. The second group had to watch OTHERS receive compliments. The third group was on its own and had to self-evaluate. When asked to perform the test again, guess what? The group who had been praised individually significantly outperformed the other two. 

The researchers explained that the brain perceives that compliment as a mental paycheck. The study also suggests that those paying the compliments may benefit as well as long as the praise is sincere. Most people tend to work harder when they feel valued and that pays off for everyone in a team environment.