How to take a compliment (was RE: R-E-S-P-E-C-T me! (Please!) )

["Combs, Richard" <richard -dot- combs -at- Polycom -dot- com>]

Snip #1: 

>    it is the only one I can think of). For example, a 
> developer complimented me
>    the other day by saying I was very good at my job and a 
> "real asset", unlike
>    most technical writers that he has worked with who really 
> didn't know
>    anything. I replied that I am probably no better than any 
> other technical
>    writer he has worked with in the past, he just didn't take 
> the time to work
>    with them, and it took me months to get him to understand 
> what I do. He just
>    shrugged. SIGH :)

I suspect that's the last time he'll try to compliment your work.  

Snip #2:

> When I created my first help file for them, one of the 
> developers looked at it and said, "Wow!  That looks 
> professional!"  I wanted to say, "Is your code amateurish?" 
> or, "What do you think they pay me for?  Cleaning out the 
> refrigerator?"

I hope you smiled and said, "Why, thanks!" instead. 

General rule: When someone compliments you, thank them. Don't insult,
belittle, or attack them. 

As Dick said: 

> This is not rocket science. It's basic Dale Carnegie. If you 
> feel people don't respect you, don't blame them; they're just 
> reacting to the persona you present. 

Richard


------
Richard G. Combs
Senior Technical Writer
Polycom, Inc.
richardDOTcombs AT polycomDOTcom
303-223-5111
------
rgcombs AT gmailDOTcom
303-777-0436
------




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