Lifting Up
Lifting up means to raise a person out of feeling insecure or discouraged and move them to a position of confidence.
Allies raise another’s self-confidence through encouraging; pointing out talents, strengths, and accomplishments; and giving a vision of the impact they can have.
How to Lift Up
Lift up and build confidence in those around you. In an environment where a person is constantly dismissed, disrespected, or criticized, it is easy for them to lose confidence and stop speaking up.
Work with intention to highlight the positives and the value someone else has contributed. Encourage them to continue contributing and speaking up.
Examples of things to do or say include:
- Lift someone’s confidence by taking an idea presented and channeling or shaping it.
- Find opportunities to provide positive feedback and share actions an individual has taken that are good and strong and that you would like to see more of.
- Avoid nit-picking and focusing on negative cycles. Instead, recognize the value of everyone’s contributions.
- “I was impressed with the way you (did, explained, shared) that.”
- “Thank you for sharing your insights on XX. I found it very insightful.”
- “I wanted to let you know I am inspired by the way you do XX.”
- “I’ve been meaning to tell you that when you did/said XX, it was really impactful to me. It helped me to see/understand/consider XX more.”
- “I really appreciate when you do XX. It has had a positive impact in the following ways…”
Your Lifting Up Assignment
Over the next week, find at least three instances where you can build up confidence in someone else by noticing something positive they have done, and saying something to recognize them for it.
Use the Lifting Up section of your ALLIES Activity packet to record what you noticed, what you said or did, and what the impact was.