“You rock!” “You’re a rockstar!” “You are awesome!!”

If you use phrases like these for a colleague who just saved your organization, fixed a major problem or landed a huge, company-making account, that’s great.

But if you send messages like these anytime a co-worker emails you a file you asked for… then it’s overpraise.

Most people can sense sincerity — and insincerity. If your messages come across as overpraise, they will likely have the opposite effect you are looking for: Rather than ingratiating you to others, they will likely turn people off.

Watch out for overpraise in your messages. If someone sends you the information you asked for, or does you a simple favor at work, the correct response is not “You’re a rockstar!” It’s “Thank you.”