Speak Up: Develop Your Executive Presence & Leadership Communication Style

492: Why The Wrong Kind of Compliment is Worse For Your Executive Presence Than None At All

Nov 28, 2025

Is your praise actually harming your leadership presence? Discover how insincere compliments can erode trust and decrease credibility, especially for high-performing introverts. Learn the 4S framework for effective compliments: they should be sincere, specific, impactful, and concise. Explore techniques for gracefully receiving praise without awkwardness. Dive into research that links thoughtful compliments to enhanced trust and influence. Boost your executive presence with the right kind of recognition and connection!

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INSIGHT

Compliments Are Risky In A Skeptical Era

Modern social norms and digital culture have made people more skeptical of praise and more sensitive to insincerity.
Laura Camacho warns that a wrong compliment can erode trust and quietly damage your reputation long-term.

ANECDOTE

Thoughtful Praise Changes Perception

Laura Camacho notices that thoughtful compliments from podcast guests change how she feels about them.
She says being noticed in a non-obvious way makes you feel deeply recognized and positive toward the giver.

ADVICE

Use The 4S Framework For Compliments

Use the 4S framework for compliments: sincere, specific, show impact, and keep it short.
Skip vague flattery and deliver one genuine line with eye contact and a smile.

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To see if Laura’s Executive Presence Mastery System 90-day coaching intensive is right for you, set up a strategy call here.

Is your “nice job!” praise quietly damaging your leadership credibility?

In today’s episode of Speak Up, Laura Camacho breaks down the hidden power (and danger) of giving and receiving compliments in professional settings—especially for high-performing introverts. Discover how what seems like harmless praise might actually be eroding trust and diminishing your executive presence.

By the end of today’s episode you’ll know:

😱Why giving and receiving compliments is so tricky and what happens with the wrong kind.

🏆The 4 exact ingredients of any presence-building, gratitude practicing compliment.

🎶How to receive a compliment gracefully without awkwardness.

If you would like FREE coaching for our episode #500 coming out December 17 send me your question, your first name, role and company to hello@speakupwithlaura.com.

Tune in now to unlock the power of compliments that strengthen your presence, elevate your influence, and leave a lasting impression.

So look — if you’ve ever left a meeting feeling like you did everything “right,” but still didn’t get the recognition or influence you deserved… and it's starting to feel like charisma is this elusive trait only others were born with, but you still want to show up with natural confidence and authority in any room...

That’s why we created the Executive Presence Scorecard. It’s a quick assessment based on the four pillars of my Executive Presence Mastery program, designed to pinpoint exactly where you shine and where you can grow — so you don’t waste time on things that won’t move the needle.

To get it, email me at hello@speakupwithlaura.com with the word “score” in the subject line.

To learn more visit www.speakupwithlaura.com. New Speak Up podcast episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday early in the morning.

In Speak Up communication and executive presence coaching, high performing leaders and executives learn to enhance their influence and confidence, refining their communication style to increase visibility and effectiveness in promotion opportunities.

By honing communication skills and fostering a trusted advisor mindset, aspiring executives cultivate mastery in public speaking and beat imposter syndrome. Your leadership becomes more strategic and inspiring.