The Power of Making People Feel Good: Simple Ways to Uplift Others Every Day

Today, I had an interesting experience at Blaze Pizza that reminded me of something powerful: the impact of making people feel good about themselves. It’s amazing how much people will do for you when you genuinely lift them up and help them feel valued.

For instance, there’s a guy at Blaze who serves me regularly. Today, I gave him a rating, and he got to see it. Just seeing that feedback made him genuinely happy. It wasn’t about the rating itself—it was about making him feel good. When people feel good around you, they naturally want to help, support, and even go the extra mile for you. They’ll make sure you’re taken care of, and sometimes, they’ll even give you credit where it’s due.

I truly believe the most powerful way to make people feel good is through personal interactions. Meeting them, giving compliments, showing curiosity, and genuinely engaging with them is far more effective than anything else. Over time, I’ve realized that not everyone will be able to do something tangible for you—but most will respond positively when you make them feel seen, appreciated, and valued.

Back to today: I was joking around with Arif, one of the staff, and asked, “Koi tension toh nahi hai na bhaiya?” He laughed and replied, “Nahi, sab theek.” Sometimes, all it takes is checking in and showing that you see and hear someone.

Later, another guy at Blaze joked that he was going to eat five pizzas today. I replied, “No, not five—ten!” He laughed so hard that he promised to take care of me. By the end, Arif gave me a free drink and dessert. Why? Because I made them smile and feel good about themselves.

It’s simple, but incredibly effective: make people feel good. It doesn’t require money or effort—just authenticity, warmth, and attention.

So, how do we make people feel good about themselves? Here are some practical ways:

1. Use their name

People feel recognized and valued when you use their name often.

2. Give compliments

Tell them what you appreciate about them. Share a story where you thought, “Wow, this person is amazing.”

3. Take a joke on yourself

We often take ourselves too seriously. Don’t let ego get in the way—being willing to laugh at yourself makes others feel comfortable and at ease.

4. Make them laugh

Humor is a quick way to create a positive connection.

5. Highlight their good qualities

Notice strengths and avoid unnecessary criticism.

6. Listen actively

Truly hear them. Don’t think about what to say next—focus on them. Nod, ask clarifying questions, and reflect what they’re saying.
Example: “So what you’re saying is… wow, that must have been exciting!”

7. Celebrate achievements

Notice and acknowledge wins, no matter how small.
Example: “I saw how you handled that situation yesterday—you stayed calm under pressure. That’s impressive.”

8. Encourage them

Offer support when they’re struggling or unsure.
Example: “I know this is challenging, but if anyone can handle it, it’s you.”

9. Give meaningful, specific compliments

Generic praise is fine, but specific praise shows attention and care.
Example: “I really admire how you thought through that solution—it was clever and practical.”

10. Acknowledge effort

Recognize dedication, not just results.
Example: “I noticed how much work you put into this. Your commitment really shines.”

11. Express gratitude

A simple thank-you can boost someone’s self-worth.
Example: “Thank you for helping me yesterday—you made a difference.”

12. Give them a sense of importance

Ask for advice or opinions—they’ll feel valued.
Example: “I’d really like your perspective on this—it would help me a lot.”

13. Use positive body language

Smile, maintain eye contact, and keep an open posture to communicate warmth and respect.

14. Highlight uniqueness

Point out what makes them special or different.
Example: “I love how creative you are—you always come up with ideas no one else would think of.”

The takeaway: Making people feel good isn’t hard, it’s about authenticity, attention, and positivity. When you do this consistently, people respond in kind, and relationships become stronger, more joyful, and more supportive.


Exercise: 

Active Listening Drill

  • Task: In a conversation, focus only on listening. Don’t plan your response. Nod, paraphrase, and ask clarifying questions.

  • Example: “So what I’m hearing is… that sounds challenging!”

  • Goal: Make the other person feel fully heard and appreciated.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Man ka hua toh accha hai, aur agar man ka na ho toh aur bhi accha hai

Image
I was sitting in an airplane when an old lady next to me said,  "Man ka hua toh accha hai, aur agar man ka na ho toh aur bhi accha hai":  If things go as we desire, it's good; if they don’t, it’s even better. This philosophy by Harivansh Rai Bachchan carries profound wisdom. It teaches us that life is not just about getting what we want, but about trusting the journey, even when things don’t unfold as we expect. When Things Go Your Way: "Man ka hua toh accha" We often associate happiness with things aligning with our wishes, getting that dream job, being with the person we love, achieving a long-desired goal. And when these things happen, we feel joy, success, and a sense of control. But this is only half the truth. Life is not a straight path, and our desires are often shaped by our limited understanding of what’s truly good for us. What we wish for today may not serve us in the long run. Getting what we want is good, but it’s not the ultimate measure of happin...
Read more

Step into the unknown

Image
 Embrace the unknown. There are so many things in life that we fear. Imagine that you fear a particular project, imagine you risk losing something, imagine you risk the loss of a friend, imagine you risk losing love, all of these are risks. But the point is we want to embrace the unknown. What is to life, if we never explore the unknown, if we never know about someone. I feel like it's important to embrace the unknown. It's important to go through the darkest of times together and then come out stronger. It's important to be yourself.  The more you go with the flow of life and surrender the outcome to God, and the less you seek constant clarity, the more you will find that fabulous things start to show up in your life. I love this, so going with the flow of life, and surrendering yourself to the outcome. That is what makes life interesting. Imagine going on a solo trip, you don't really know whom you will meet or how you will stay but with the flow of life you eventuall...
Read more

There's light at the end of the tunnel

I have always loved the idea that every story, whether in books, movies, or real life, is a journey—one filled with moments of difficulty, sadness, hardships, and battles that must be fought. But what truly makes a story special is not just the struggles it portrays, but the way it turns them into something meaningful, something that inspires. Think about your favorite films—the ones that leave a lasting impact. No matter how dark the night, no matter how lost the hero feels, in the end, things fall into place. The obstacles that seemed insurmountable become lessons. The heartbreaks become stepping stones. The failures become the very reason for success. And when the movie ends on a hopeful note, the audience walks out of the theater with a renewed belief in life, in second chances, and in the idea that no matter how tough things get, there’s always hope. That’s exactly what I want to contribute through this blog. A sense of belief that life, like the best Hindi films, has its fair sha...
Read more