The three best "compliments" I have ever received

I had just self-published the book I had wanted to write for more than 10 years. I ordered printed copies and mailed them to a group of my peers in accounting and technology. Most of the recipients had known me for years as we had all travelled in the same circles and spoken at the same accounting and technology conferences. 

Publishing a book is like introducing your baby to your friends. It's a vulnerable time.  You think it is brilliant and wonderful but hope you aren't blinded by the fact that you have just given birth to it. You want to hear honest feedback (unless of course it happens to be negative.) 

Compliment (?) #1

Shortly after that, I saw one of my friends and mentors who also happened to be an editor of a publication I revered, at an accounting conference. He said "Thank you for the book. I don't know how to tell you this but..."  at which point I said "what, knowing me you didn't expect much?"   And he said "Yes!  It was actually good!" 

There is nothing I like better than exceeding expectations and of course it helps that the bar is set really low. But what a great compliment! I knew he really meant it. 

In the late 1990's, I worked with small businesses all over Atlanta, Georgia to implement and use Peachtree accounting software.  As their consultant CPA, I would walk in to help them figure out how to enter a transaction, or reconcile their bank statement, or generate a payroll check. I would end up troubleshooting hardware, software, and accounting problems that might be the source of whatever problem they were having. 

Generally, the person working on the accounting software had drawn the short straw and was handed a computer, box of software and a desk and was told they were now officially the accountant. When I arrived, they would be terrified and would usually greet me at the door with "I am not an accountant" as if to escape blame in the event they had completely fouled up the company's books. They were intimidated by my CPA credentials (and probably my stuffy grey suit which I'm sure they associated with the Internal Revenue Service), by the hardware, the technology, and especially the accounting terminology. I made it my mission to take away their fear. I focused on helping them relax and showing them that I was on their side. I worked to train them so that they could make sense of the information they were creating.  

Compliment (?) #2

At the end of one particularly trying day, when my client and I were working together on a difficult payroll challenge on payday at a door manufacturer, we finally found the source of the problem. She immediately proclaimed at the top of her lungs, " Well I'll be dipped in dog doodoo." 

She was clearly thrilled and delighted at our success in getting her payroll checks printed and ready for timely delivery to her employees. She was showing her appreciation by her willingness to be dunked in the aforementioned substance. (I think.) 

Compliment (?) #3

This year, I was asked to deliver a keynote presentation at SleeterCon. The first step in preparing for any presentation, once you have worked out the contract terms, is to identify your topic and title.  The conference theme was "Getting Out of your Comfort Zone."  I submitted this topic "Comfort is for hushpuppies: How to do more by pushing your limits and finding your voice." 

One of the reviewers of session topics, who is also a peer that I respect greatly said this about my topic. "If it was anyone but Geni doing it I would question whether we could get people to it, but with Geni’s name recognition it should do well."

(I used his comment as a tweet to get help from attendees in proving him right. And what name recognition?) 

Translation: It sounds pretty goofy, but maybe people will be curious to hear what the heck Geni is going to be talking about. But note his faith in my ability to draw an audience in - that's a huge compliment. I chose to focus on that. After I delivered my topic at the conference, he had this to say, " LOVED your presentation. Thank you!!  You inspired me to strive for more again!" 

Compliments are what you make of them. Never let your own insecurities force you to miss the kind intentions in even the most left-handed of compliments.  And don't rely on feedback from others as a measure of your success.

And please, no matter how excited you might be, the next time I'm in Georgia, please don't offer to dip me in anything. I have always wondered what was in those Calistoga Mud Baths. 

Geni Whitehouse, CPA.CITP is the Countess of Communication at Brotemarkle, Davis & Co. LLP, at EvenANerd.com, and At SolveServices.com . She has devoted her career to making boring subjects interesting and is the author of How to Make a Boring Subject Interesting: 52 ways even a nerd can be heard.