THE BACK STORY
Let’s be real—most of us say “Good job” without really thinking about it. And while it sounds nice, it often lands flat. Why? Because it’s too generic.
SAYING “GOOD JOB” ISN’T BAD… BUT…
Now, don’t get me wrong—saying “Good job” is not bad. It’s better than silence.
- But if you want it to actually mean something, you’ve got to do a little more.
WHEN IT ACTUALLY WORKS
“Good job” works when you:
- Say it with purpose
- Notice what they did
- Add a little detail
Example:
Instead of just saying “Good job,” try:
“Good job staying calm during that tough meeting!”
That one sticks.
WHEN IT DOESN’T MEAN MUCH
Saying “Good job” all the time for everything?
- Yawn. People stop paying attention. It sounds automatic. Like you’re not really watching or caring.
If it feels robotic or lazy, the impact is gone.
LEVEL IT UP: SAY WHAT YOU SAW
Here are better ways to say it:
- “I saw how you helped the team stay on track. That really mattered.”
- “You spoke clearly and confidently—made a real impact.”
- “That idea you shared? It shifted the whole conversation. Nice work!”
That’s praise that sticks, encourages, and makes people feel seen.
OOPS… FORGOT TO SAY IT?
We’ve all been there. You walk away from a meeting and later think:
“Ugh. I forgot to tell them they nailed it!”
What now? No big deal. Just say it later!
You can keep it casual:
“Hey—I didn’t say this earlier, but you really handled that well.”
Or playful:
“Wait—how did I miss this? That was awesome. Good job, superstar!”
Even a late compliment is better than never saying anything at all.
MAKE IT FEEL REAL
Here’s the truth:
- People remember how you made them feel, not just what you said.
A heartfelt “Well done” with eye contact and a smile?
- Stronger than any emoji-filled message(though emojis are fun too).
MAKE IT COUNT: NOTICE. NAME IT. SAY IT.
Your words can light someone up. So don’t just say “Good job” and walk away.
- Say what you saw.
- Be specific.
- Make it personal.
If you forget—no stress. Just go back, say it, and mean it.
Because feeling seen matters.
TIPS AND TECHNIQUES
Think of someone who did something well.
- Go back and tell them—specifically.
Watch their face light up.
You’ll see:
It’s not about perfect timing—it’s about genuine recognition.
Remember: Making it meaningful wins over saying it out of habit.