He deflects. You say “great job” and he says “the team did most of it.” You say it again and he changes the subject.
This is Spotlight Avoidance. The praise is real. The delivery needs to change.
Practical Techniques
Find Out What He Prefers
Watch how he reacts to different kinds of acknowledgment. Does a private “thank you” land better than a public mention? Does he accept praise for effort more readily than praise for talent? The method matters as much as the message.
Tie It to a Specific Outcome
Generic praise slides off him. Specific impact sticks. Say: “Because you caught that error, we avoided a cost overrun.” Or: “Your prep for the client call was what got us the contract.” Name what happened. He cannot wave away a fact.
Mention the Team First, Then Him
Acknowledge the group, then his specific contribution. Say: “The team delivered well. Your work on the backend was the piece that made it possible.” He gets the credit. He does not feel put on the spot.
Why This Works
A man who deflects praise is not fishing for more. He is genuinely uncomfortable. Specific impact is hard to argue with. Team framing lets him accept the recognition without feeling exposed.
Keep It Regular
A quiet “thank you” every week lands better than a big speech once a year. Low-key and consistent builds confidence. Grand gestures do not.