Leadership That Lifts: Why We Rise Higher When We Raise Others

We have all seen and experienced difficult workplaces and negative cultures in action – usually driven by the leader who sinks others to get ahead. But how many of us have experienced the benefits and effects of positive cultures in action?

The positive, uplifting culture is where I got my start. As an engineering student at Purdue University, I joined a mentoring program led by a pioneering leader on mentoring, Dr. Emy Wadsworth. The first year in the mentoring program, there were a dozen mentees; today there are hundreds. The model has been increasingly successful. Purdue engineering upperclasswomen help the next class of women navigate one of the most demanding curricula in the country. Today, Purdue’s Engineering programs have the largest number of enrolled women in the United States. Why? I believe it is due in large part to leadership that lifts.

The program’s impact—and the recognition Dr. Wadsworth received early in the program from United States President Bill Clinton—remind me again that leadership isn’t a zero-sum game. When we lift, we rise.

Real Results of Positive Leadership

There is something indelible about leadership that celebrates balance and practices lifting others up instead of pushing others down to get ahead. This “leadership that lifts” is important and effective. The data tell a clear story:

Recognition fuels effort. 69% of employees say they would work harder if their efforts were recognized.

Poor leadership drives disengagement. 82% of employees link weak leadership to disengagement.

Strong leadership wins. Companies with strong leadership are 2 to 3 times more likely to outperform competitors financially.

Hope matters. More than 60% of followers say they need to see hope from leaders, and a hopeful leader increases the likelihood of employees – and the business – thriving.

Put simply: a leader’s ability to model hope, offer recognition, and create opportunity directly improves productivity, retention, and results. It also changes who gets to thrive. Women still hold far fewer senior roles than men; cultures that lift can help close that gap by making sponsorship, visibility, and recognition the norm—not the exception.

Leadership That Lifts

So what does “leadership that lifts” look like in practice?

Name the win, specifically and publicly. Replace the vague “good job” with, “Your analysis clarified the path to launch—thank you.” Specific recognition builds confidence and standards.

Share the stage. If you present the work, bring the team with you. Give credit in the room where decisions are made.

Sponsor across lines. Make intros, recommend stretch roles, and advocate for underrepresented talent—especially when they aren’t in the room.

Model hope with honesty. Articulate a clear path forward, acknowledge constraints, and point to what’s possible next.

Make space for creativity. Innovation needs air. Invite ideas outside job descriptions—yes, even the “creative” ones we often hide.

If we’re only climbing by pushing others down, we’re not leading—we’re competing for a prize that doesn’t exist. On the contrary, lifting others up ensures we’re bringing others along on a positive journey. Leaders who lead to make a difference are leaders who impact the world for the better.

When we get to the end of life, it’s the community and positive collaboration we’ve been a part of that makes our lives significant and meaningful. The leaders I admire most are builders of community and collaboration, not ones who exclude and push out.

That’s the culture I’m committed to creating: one where recognition is frequent, positivity is upheld, hope is visible, and success is shared.

Stand Tall Letters

Jennifer Lyn Estep | Mount Saint Michel, France — Jennifer at Mont Saint Michel, France

I have long kept my creative life outside of work separate from my professional brand. After much reflection, I realized why: the perception we should all be working 24/7 is real. However, a culture that supports balance and positive pursuits outside of our career personas is important. It’s not only okay, but important, to be authentically our whole selves.

I’ve created Stand Tall Letters as a result, based on the belief that confidence grows when we’re moving forward, creativity fuels positive leadership, and our best work begins when we decide to stay true to our dreams.

Next Steps

Want to work together? Looking for a speaker or positive leader to help make a positive impact at your company? Send me a direct message. Let’s get started!

If this resonates, I’d love to stay in touch. Subscribe to Stand Tall Letters (below)—my twice monthly note on resilient leadership and creating a positive, deeply loved, authentic life—and by subscribing, you’ll also receive the Stand Tall Workbook free to help you define the culture you want to build for your team (and yourself).

Let’s lift—so we can all rise together.

Stand Tall Workbook by Jennifer Lyn Estep — Stand Tall Workbook

Consultant, speaker, and author, Jennifer Lyn Estep blends Purdue engineering and Harvard business training to help biopharma/medtech teams scale—while pursuing her creative work as the writer and artist behind Stand Tall and Illuminous Studio.

Jennifer Lyn Estep

Join the Stand Tall Letters List

A twice-monthly note for leaders and creators—grounded in the belief that creativity fuels great leadership. Expect quick, practical ideas on culture, confidence, and impact, plus a spark of art and storytelling to keep you moving. Subscribe to get the Stand Tall Workbook and start building a team (and life) you deeply love.