January 11, 2021

George W. Crane taught social psychology at Northwestern University in Chicago and believed strongly in making the study of psychology practical to his students.

In response to a few remarks made by some of his students, Mr. Crane came up with what he called the “Compliment Club.” It was the first of several practical assignments he would give them that term.

“You are to use your psychology every day either at home or work or on the buses,” Crane told them. “For the first month, your written assignment will be the Compliment Club. Every day, you are to pay an honest compliment to three different people. You may increase that number if you wish, but to qualify for a class grade, you must have complimented at least three people every day for 30 days … Then, at the end of the thirty-day experiment, I want you to write a paper on your experiences,” he continued. “Include the changes you have noted in the people around you as well as your own altered outlook on life.”

Some of Crane’s students resisted the assignment, some complained that they wouldn’t know what to say. Others were afraid of being rejected.

He encouraged them by sharing, “You never know when your casual compliment may catch a person at a critical point in his/her life.”

Crane’s students discovered that their sincere compliments had a positive impact on the people around them and the experience made an even greater impact on the students themselves.

The belief behind the Compliment Club is similar to what John Maxwell calls the “Elevator Principle.” We can lift people up or take them down in our relationships.

The world is starving for appreciation. It’s hungry for compliments. But somebody must start the ball rolling by speaking first and saying a nice thing to his companion. Mr. Crane was trying to teach his students to be proactive in lifting people up.

Intentionally Own It! Choose to go first. Choose to take initiative and become a “ripple starter” of good things.