What kind of compliments does Les say he does not want?
He does not want a lot of flowery compliments—praise that sounds insincere, where he suspects the speaker does not really mean it. He values a genuine word of compliment, which can do more than one imagines, but not exaggerated, empty flattery.
Les explains that while everyone likes to be complimented, including himself, he does not want a lot of flowery stuff that makes him think, “Well, they don't really mean this.” He contrasts that with a sincere word of compliment, which can do more for a person than anything imaginable. He notes that he has no problem thanking people who do a good job, as he told station manager Gary, because everybody likes a word of compliment. He connects this to Paul, who was thrilled by Titus's report that the Corinthians still loved and held him in high esteem.