Simple Ways to Lift Others Up (with Infographic)
Here are eight actions representing practical ways to shift from purely individualistic thinking to recognising the interconnectedness of human experience.
This is a follow-up from my article “We Rise by Lifting Others: The Quiet Power of Mutual Support”, the sixth in a series of articles about ten qualities of a good human - dimensions of character to cultivate over a lifetime.
I used to think that helping others meant sacrificing something of my own. For years, I operated as what I call an "Alone Ranger" - figuring out life's challenges independently, convinced that standing on my own two feet without assistance was the ultimate achievement. It took me longer than I'd care to admit to realise I had it completely backwards.
The breakthrough came through my mentoring work with startup founders. I'd sit across from these passionate entrepreneurs, sharing my experience - the good and the bad - and something remarkable happened. Not only did I find this work extremely rewarding, but I began to understand that when you genuinely invest in helping others succeed, you don't just feel good about yourself. You actually create conditions that make your own success more likely, more sustainable, and infinitely more meaningful.
Recent research backs this up in fascinating ways. When you help someone else succeed, those acts of kindness and support trigger the release of oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin - essentially giving you a natural high that rivals any external achievement. Neuroscientists have discovered that being nice to people literally rewires the part of your brain associated with empathy, problem-solving, and social connection. These are precisely the tools that help people achieve success.
John F Kennedy distilled it famously to "A rising tide lifts all boats."
One fallacy I had to overcome was the zero-sum mindset - the idea that for one person to win, another must lose. This is quite plainly wrong. Just because someone else is victorious, it doesn't mean your opportunity must be diminished. We need more "we're all in this together" rather than "me versus the world."
The ripple effect is real. When you support someone, they don't just benefit from your help - they're actively inspired to pay it forward. Being lifted up gives them both the capacity and the desire to lift others. I've witnessed this countless times through my mentoring work, where a simple introduction or piece of advice creates exponential impact down the line.
What I've learnt is that you don't need special qualifications, significant resources, or formal authority to start lifting others. Some of the most impactful ways to support people are surprisingly simple and can be integrated into your daily life. Albert Einstein captured this perfectly when he said, "Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value."
The following eight actions represent practical ways to shift from purely individualistic thinking to recognising the interconnectedness of human experience. They're not just morally satisfying approaches - they're crucial elements for thriving in our complex world, where genuine success rarely comes from going it alone.
Download this quick checklist infographic :)
