What is the etiquette of giving a compliment in business?

What is the etiquette of giving a compliment in business?

Phyllis Davis (Business Etiquette Consultant) gives expert video advice on: Does good business etiquette allow me to tell jokes in the workplace?; It is appropriate to show anger in business?; How can etiquette help me deal with the office whiner or pessimist? and more...

Giving and receiving compliments in business is tricky so it's important to know how to do it properly. I'm a big fan of both giving and receiving compliments when using the correct business etiquette, so lets talk about giving compliments firstly. Compliments are easy to give in the work place as long as you don't comment on someone's appearance. It's best to comment on someone's behaviour, for example, "Great job on that report, the footnotes really made it." The more specific you can be about a compliment in the workplace, the better. You don't want to say "Gee, Joe, you look great today in that suit" or even "Mary, you look terrific in that skirt" as those are inappropriate for the workplace. Giving compliments using correct business etiquette in the workplace is a way of bringing someone up to your level, and if you are in senior management, and you give someone a compliment, it encourages them because it makes them feel like they're worthy.