100 Ways to say "YOU'RE GOOD!" in the Workplace
By Teri Burgos-Gutierrez

In the workplace, money and fair wages are clearly important, but when it comes to long-term employee happiness and loyalty, it's truly a case of "you can't buy me love." Workers thrive, are motivated and stick around longer by recognition of a job well done - a sense that they are appreciated and included in the operation. Bob Nelson

WORDS are POWERFUL. They make or unmake us. They make other people like us or dislike us.

Almost a year ago, I participated in a seminar-workshop with about 40 other people. The seminar director asked each of us to introduce ourselves and to say what we did for a living. He asked a series of questions about our profession and what we liked doing best. He made each one of us feel very important and he gave us the chance to get to know more of each other at the start of our weekend session. When my turn came, I gave my name and said that I was a former college professor, now a corporate trainer, author, and speaker. The director seemed fascinated, as did the rest of the participants, that I had actually written a book. He quipped, "I've never ever met an author before", while the rest responded that they hadn't either. There seemed to be some sort of a mystique about authors! I must admit that it made me feel so good!

The director continued to ask questions about me but only focused on my being an author. He asked a series of questions about writing, researching, editing, publishing, marketing and so forth. After asking me the books I've already written, he asked me if I was going to write another one. I informed everyone that I have just finished a book series on the importance to speak and the power of words, especially positive ones, and how they could bring out the best in children and adults as well. I further added that I focused on how the choice of words can help both the speaker and the listener become better and happier persons. Soon after, a young woman stood up and asked where she could get a copy of the book so she could give it her manager. This was followed by several other requests coming from the other participants who realized the urgent need of using positive words not only by children but so with adults in workplaces as well.

It may take a special set of skills to bring out the best in people in today's corporate world, most of them having to do with the proper use and choice of words wisely and courteously. I have personally made a survey on the role of Word Power in today's workplaces. I have noted that everybody wants to hear supportive and affirming language, clean and polite words, recognition for a job well done, encouraging statements, and simple yet inspiring praises.

It doesn't take a genius to understand that what people say they like to hear and don't like to hear at work from both their managers and their peers is no different from what we all want and don't want to hear no matter where we are. What we talk about and how we talk to others, more than anything else, creates the atmosphere in which we live - at home at work

Here are 100 simple ways to say "YOU'RE GOOD!" and be sure to catch the magic it creates - for you - and the person you've addressed it to!

1. You're in the right track now.
2. You're doing a good job.
3. You did a lot work today.
4. Now you've figured that out.
5. That's right.
6. Now you have the hang of it.
7. That's the way.
8. You're really going to town.
9. Now you're doing fine.
10. Now you have it.
11. Nice going.
12. That's coming along nicely.
13. That's great.
14. You did it this time.
15. Great.
16. Fantastic.
17. Terrific.
18. Good for you.
19. Good work.
20. That's better.
21. Excellent.
22. Good job.
23. You outdid yourself today.
24. Awesome.
25. That's the best you have ever done.
26. Good going.
27. Keep it up.
28. That's really nice.
29. Wow.
30. Keep up the good work.
31. Much better.
32. Good for you.
33. That's very much better.
34. Good thinking.
35. Exactly right.
36. Super.
37. Nice going.
38. You make it look easy.
39. I've never seen anyone do it better.
40. You are doing that much better today.
41. Way to go.
42. Not bad.
43. Superb.
44. You're getting better today.
45. Wonderful.
46. I knew you could do it.
47. Keep working on it, you're getting better.
48. You're doing it beautifully.
49. You're really working hard today.
50. That's the way to do it.
51. Keep on trying.
52. That's it.
53. Nothing can stop you now.
54. You've got it made.
55. You are very good at that.
56. You are learning fast.
57. I'm very proud of you.
58. You certainly did well today.
59. You got it.
60. That's good.
61. I'm happy to see you working like that.
62. Be proud of what you worked today.
63. That's the way to do it.
64. You are really learning a lot.
65. That's better than ever.
66. That's quite an improvement.
67. That kind of work makes me happy.
68. Marvelous.
69. Now you've figured out that out.
70. Perfect.
71. That's not bad at all.
72. Fine.
73. You've got your brain in gear today.
74. That's it.
75. You figured that out fast.
76. You remembered.
77. You're really improving.
78. I think you've got it now.
79. You got it right.
80. Well done.
81. Tremendous.
82. Outstanding.
83. I like that.
84. Couldn't have done it better myself.
85. Now that's what I call a fine job.
86. You did that very well.
87. Congratulations.
88. That was first class work.
89. Right on.
90. Sensational.
91. That's the best ever.
92. Good remembering.
93. You've got it going on.
94. That's live.
95. You must have been practicing.
96. You've just about mastered that.
97. One more time and you'll have it.
98. Congratulations.
99. You haven't missed a thing.
100. You're the best.

Try using these lines! It will surely make a great difference in somebody else's life… and yours too!

(Teri Gutierrez is a corporate trainer, author, speaker, and web columnist. She can be reached at gutierrez_teri@yahoo.com)