I want to ask…how do you respond to compliments?
Imagine someone saying:
“You did a great job on that file, well done”
“The project plan you put together was well-thought-out”
Or even, “You look great, I love your dress!”
What’s your immediate response?
I used to find it almost impossible to accept a compliment without downplaying it somehow.
Even now, I’m getting better, but I do still sometimes find myself starting with “Oh I don’t know about that…” before I finally get to “but thank you, I appreciate it”.
We’ve spoken before about a belief I held for a long time:
Confidence = arrogance
And if that’s what you believe, the next part naturally follows:
Humility = safe
(Safe meaning accepted, included, liked)
It’s such an Aussie thing too, we grow up hearing:
“Get off your high horse”
“Don’t get too big for your boots”
“Pull your head in”
And of course, “She thinks her sh*! don’t stink”
So we’re conditioned from a young age to downplay our achievements, because we’ve associated taking a compliment with someone who’s at the receiving end of those comments!
For people who are naturally more receptive and less assertive, advocating for ourselves and highlighting our achievements was never going to come easily, but this conditioning throws it out the window completely.
The problem? The more we downplay our achievements, the more invisible we become.
The less likely we’ll be considered for project opportunities, promotions etc. because people can’t recognise and reward what they can’t see.
And while we want to believe that “the hard work will speak for itself” the truth is everyone’s too busy to notice.
So yes, this matters for your career.
But it also matters for something bigger.
When we acknowledge and celebrate our wins and achievements, we give permission to others around us to do the same.
We show quieter voices around us that success doesn’t have to look loud, pushy or self-promotional. It can look calm, genuine and grounded.
Every time you accept a compliment, share a proud moment, or acknowledge your contributions, you’re modelling that it’s possible to do great work and stay authentic to who you are.
And that changes culture, one interaction at a time.
If you were nodding along while reading, this week’s podcast episode is for you: 🎧Stop Shrinking Your Wins: Why Downplaying Yourself Doesn’t Serve Anyone.
You can listen to the episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
You’ve achieved incredible things in your life and career. It’s time for you to accept that you deserve to be recognised for them, not just for you, but for anyone else who’s watching and learning from the way you show up.
You are capable, you are worthy of what you want, you are amazing and you’ve got this!
And yes - you deserve the compliment.
Start here: take the compliment, say thank you and own it.
– Nat
PS This theme ties closely into Imposter Syndrome, if you’d like to go deeper, join me for my upcoming workshop Imposter No More: Own Your Worth happening this week in Adelaide. I’d love to see you there!
👉 Register here
PPS If this resonated with you hit reply or book in a free clarity call, let’s chat about how you can start stepping into the next version of your career, one that reflects your true value.
