Here’s a word that I have a special affinity towards. Used negatively, it could certainly convey disappointment. To say that a person had so much potential and never fulfilled it is something that few would want to hear. Used positively, however, and the word potential becomes what I consider to be one of the greatest compliments. Potential means that who you are right now is not the best that you can be. And that’s a comforting thought, no matter how great you might think you are right now. You can be better. This is a forward looking idea that builds on the ideas of improvement and progress. And it’s hard to disagree with the notion that people can always make further strides towards simply being better.

Furthermore, to say that a person has a ton of potential is to say that you believe that this person has the ability to accomplish things better than that person has already achieved to date. It tells the person that you believe in him or her. And taken with the right attitude, this idea of potential can prove to be quite powerful. So the next time you truly want to compliment people on their abilities, tell them how much potential you think they have.