Letting Others Encourage Us

I'm reading a book about women who became college presidents and they all cite people who encouraged them along the way.  The author made an interesting observation:  "I would argue that many women are given acknowledgement, recognition, and encouragement but only a small fraction of them hear and believe what they are told.  Many women have the habit of dismissing comments as not accurate or significant...People can make profound differences in emerging leaders, but only if the leaders let them."  What compliments are you dismissing?  What would happen if we believed the positive feedback others give us?