How to encourage others at work without undermining your success

Last Updated on May 29, 2025 by Andrea

My up-level (sort of mid-level management) took time out of his day to encourage me last week. “You’re doing a great job; keep it up!” I found that message in Teams when I logged into work. This was very humbling – I know there is a lot more I can do for my job. His comment makes me want to try harder and do better for my students and my colleagues.

The Real World

❓ Ever feel like work success comes at a price?

Like if someone else “wins” time and resources, then you lose? If so, you’re not alone.

When we think of work we don’t often think of encouragement. Much like with siblings, colleague relationships are often filled with competition for resources and time.

We compete to be the one who the boss favors with time (and money!). Everyone wants to stand out at work. We want our efforts to be rewarded in some way and we tend to view that as a win-lose prospect: we get the reward and someone else doesn’t.

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Encouragement Leads to Success

However, encouraging our colleagues can go a long way toward business success. Forbes magazine talks about work encouragement. They say that these behaviors allow us to encourage our colleagues without jeopardizing our own position and success trajectory:

• share knowledge
• help someone with a task
• share resources
• tell about opportunities
• introduce them to helpful people in your network
• acknowledge their hard work in public

This list shows us non-competitive ways to show we care about our fellow workers.

You Don’t Need a Title to Lead with Encouragement

Leadership isn’t limited to job titles or office hierarchies. True leadership shows up in how we treat others, especially when it comes to encouragement. Whether you’re a team member, an intern, or somewhere in between, your words and actions can make a powerful impact. Encouraging others helps improve employee engagement, boosts job satisfaction, and creates a ripple effect of positivity throughout the workplace.

A real leader isn’t just someone who manages people or holds authority—they’re someone who influences others for good. They build trust, inspire confidence, and create an environment where others can thrive. Leadership is about character and action, not just position. It’s about showing up with integrity, taking initiative, and choosing to lift others even when it’s not required. You don’t need a corner office to lead well; you just need a heart that values people and a willingness to act.

Demonstrating leadership skills matters …

Because it helps shape the culture of your workplace. When you encourage others, you help create a team environment where people feel seen, supported, and valued. That kind of atmosphere leads to stronger collaboration, greater resilience, and more satisfaction in daily work. And when others see you modeling these behaviors, it often inspires them to do the same. Encouragement can be contagious—and it starts with just one person taking the lead. An inspirational leader is one everyone wants to follow.

Here are several simple but practical ways to lead through encouragement, even if you’re not in a formal leadership role:

1. Recognize Effort, Not Just Results

Inspiring leaders praise coworkers for the effort they put into tasks, even if the outcome isn’t perfect. A simple, “I saw how much work you put into that—great job staying committed,” can go a long way.

2. Celebrate Small Wins

Don’t wait for major milestones. Good leaders celebrate the small victories—like finishing a tough project, handling a difficult client well, committing to hard work, or staying organized under pressure.

3. Offer Genuine Compliments

Be specific and sincere when you express appreciation. Instead of saying “Good job,” try, “Your presentation was so clear and engaging—I learned a lot from how you explained things.”

4. Listen with Your Full Attention

Sometimes the most encouraging thing you can do is simply listen. Giving someone your full attention shows that their thoughts and feelings matter. I know it can be difficult to set aside your work (and be interrupted) but this one goes a long way to showing respect and encouragement.

5. Share Credit Generously

If a team effort goes well, make sure to point out the contributions of the entire team, even if you aren’t the team leader. For example, “I couldn’t have done this without Sarah’s design work—it really made the project shine.”

6. Send Encouraging Notes or Messages

A quick email, sticky note, or message that says, “I appreciate your hard work today” can brighten someone’s whole day—and set a tone of support and teamwork.

7. Model a Positive Attitude

Your outlook can influence others. Staying hopeful, solution-focused, and kind—even under stress—sets a powerful example of leadership through encouragement. Remember that open communication is a key to successful relationships, at work and at home.

8. Be a Safe Person to Confide In

Let your coworkers know you’re someone they can talk to. Encouraging leadership is also about being trustworthy, empathetic, and willing to support others in tough moments.

9. Encourage Growth

Point out the strengths you see in others and suggest opportunities where they could shine. Saying, “You’d be great at leading that meeting,” might give someone the confidence to step up.

10. Pay attention

Be on the lookout for people who are giving their best effort or are implementing new ways of getting the job done. Who is putting in long hours? Who seeks better outcomes? Human beings love to be noticed, so acknowledge their efforts when you see them. You’ll build strong relationships and a company culture of encouragement and support.

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Encouragement may seem small, but it creates big change. When you choose to lift others up and create a supportive environment, you not only help individuals—you contribute to a more motivated, connected, and successful workplace. Then each team member feels valuable and essential to success. That’s real leadership, no matter what your title is.

The Positive Effects of an Encouraging Work Culture

When encouragement becomes part of the workplace culture, the benefits reach far beyond individual moments—they shape the overall experience of working together. An encouraging environment based on effective communication helps people feel valued, supported, and motivated to give their best. Here are just some of the powerful effects of a culture built on encouragement:

1. Mutual Respect

Encouragement fosters a culture of appreciation rather than competition. When coworkers regularly build each other up, respect naturally grows. People feel recognized for their contributions, and that respect flows in all directions—not just top-down.

2. Personal Growth

In a supportive environment, people feel more confident taking on new challenges. Encouragement reminds employees that it’s safe to try, fail, learn, and grow. When feedback is offered with kindness and support, individuals are more open to self-improvement and development.

3. Better Mental Health

A workplace that promotes encouragement helps reduce stress, anxiety, and burnout. Feeling seen and valued boosts morale and self-esteem. Simple words of affirmation can make a big difference in someone’s mental and emotional well-being, especially during high-pressure seasons.

4. Stronger Relationships

Encouragement helps create trust and camaraderie. It builds relational bridges and deepens connections between team members. When people feel genuinely cared for and cheered on, they’re more likely to collaborate effectively and work through conflict with grace.

5. A Safe Space to Be Authentic

People thrive when they don’t have to hide their mistakes or pretend to be perfect. An encouraging culture gives employees permission to be real, to ask for help, and to be honest about what they need—all without fear of judgment or ridicule.

6. A Supportive Environment that Lifts Everyone

Encouragement sets the tone for a work culture that uplifts rather than tears down. Support becomes the norm rather than the exception, and that kind of atmosphere boosts morale for work teams, encourages shared vision, creativity, and long-term satisfaction for everyone.

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An encouraging workplace doesn’t happen by accident—it’s built by people who choose to lead with kindness, speak life into others, and create space for growth. Whether you’re in a leadership role or not, your encouragement can help shape a work culture where people—and results—flourish.

Basic Kindness Helps

As in all relationships, a kind word and gratitude go a long way. A simple act or comment can be the best thing for someone.

Has your colleague been missing some work? Just check in with a text*.

Maybe bring a cup of coffee for your officemate on a Monday.

Even a “drive-by” comment as you walk past their door, something like, “Hey Boyd, loved the reminders in the email this morning!” will help to lift someone’s day without hurting your success (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

A co-worker recently asked for my mailing address. I was brought to tears by the sweet card she sent to encourage me after some rough episodes at work lately. She noticed what happened and reached out to encourage me. The fact that she took time to buy a card, get my address, write a personal note, and mail the card spoke volumes to me!

What kind word can you share with a colleague today? Tell us in the comments

* Be careful about cross-sex encouragement. A well-meaning text or caring inquiry can easily be misinterpreted as romantic or sexual interest. Be very careful – keep your words and nonverbals from being flirty, especially if you are married.

Resources

John C. Maxwell is one of my very favorite business communication and leadership authors. Anything by him is a go-to in my opinion!

Encouragement changes everything

I haven’t read this one but it looks interesting! From the cover: “Living out kingdom principles and displaying godly character are minimum standards, but there has to be more than just working hard and harvesting the fruits of your labor. God is not limited to a pulpit, but where is the tangible evidence of a supernatural God with you every day in your business?”

God with you at work

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Begin making encouragement your best practice. I hope you find these suggestions helpful. Now go be an inspirational leader in your office!

🌸 Andrea

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