Praise is less exciting to your leader (8)
I believe the answer is:
flattery
'praise' is the definition.
(I know that flattery is a type of compliment)
I can't explain the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for flattery that I've seen before include "Left tray (anag.)" , "Honeyed words" , "Excessive or insincere praise" , "butter" , "sugar?" .)