What does a man really want to hear from a woman?

Men often say they love with their eyes, but they forget to admit something else: they listen avidly to what a woman says about them. Not in the sense of compliments—most men don't even take them seriously. They value something else: having a woman notice his actions, his style, his intelligence, his confidence... or, conversely, his vulnerabilities that he never shows anyone.
This isn't about praise. It's about recognizing a real, living man, not some invented "hero" image.
But women often either overpraise or remain silent, afraid of appearing intrusive. As a result, a man hears only neutrality—and concludes that his presence changes nothing.
That's why a single honest phrase is worth a hundred beautiful ones.
It's important for men to feel tangible—that their choices, actions, silence, and energy evoke a reaction in a woman. Not enthusiastic babble, but that very quiet, genuine emotion that cannot be faked. And when a woman speaks this way, a man begins to act differently: more collected, more confident, sometimes even bolder than usual.
But most women are afraid to be direct.
Could you tell a man one phrase that would show he's hit the nail on the head?