There is great work happening in our schools. Learning and leading isn’t a linear process. Our learning ecosystems are hubs, active spaces where the magic of growth, failure, and reflection unfolds daily. And while there’s so much goodness living within those spaces, do you know what’s even better?

The people.

The goodness of people is as unique as it is powerful. And when we choose to recognize it, celebrate it, and elevate it—we grow too.

As George Couros reminds us in his newsletter:
“Be the reason someone has the irrational confidence to go on to do something great.”
And also,
“The gifts of those we serve are already there, and they are much easier to find if you choose to look.”

Those words continuously make me stop and think because they echo a sentiment I carry closely in my book The Leader Inside:
“Gifts live within exceptional educators, waiting to be unwrapped at the right place, at the right time, with the right people.”

But here’s the thing: we can’t just see those gifts. We have to say something about them. We have to share them.

This week, I had moments where I lifted others up, not for show, but because their work truly mattered. It brought me joy to watch a teacher talk about her leadership and doctoral work project at a department meeting. More than her interdisciplinary curriculum idea, I appreciated the way she intentionally collaborated with her colleagues to enhance the work, learning experiences, and assessments. She named them and showed her gratitude—elevating others while highlighting her work. That’s a leader.

I also collaborated with our literacy coach to create a plan for rolling out a digital resource that will enhance evidence-based literacy instruction. Together, we created teaching templates and a structure for the rollout. Then, I watched her use those ideas to launch others. She created her own resources and even designed “tip cards” in Canva to support teachers in using the resource with students. By giving her space to create and take this idea to the next level, I was simultaneously elevating her.

As Adam Grant reminds us, “Elevating others, elevates you.”

These moments reminded me about the time when my 4th grade teacher encouraged me to read to a kindergarten class because she wanted to build my confidence and reading fluency simultaneously. Elevating me. Believing in me.

Then, it took me to the time when I was encouraged to present my work at conferences by mentors who saw gifts in me that I couldn’t see in myself. Or the time George Couros told me to start this blog because he thought my ideas were worth sharing with the world. He elevated me and believed in me, later publishing my book, The Leader Inside.

We are better when we build each other up.

Who has elevated you by simply choosing to see your gifts?

That memory reminded me that elevating others isn’t just a moment, it’s a mindset, one that creates a ripple effect far beyond what we can see.

In Adam Grant’s podcast titled, The Case Against Personal Branding, professor Mark Bolino calls this “dual promotion”—the art of elevating others as you elevate yourself. In a world that often pushes self-branding, Grant reminds us that a brand is a curated image of how you want to be seen; a reputation is a complete view of what you’re like. One builds recognition, the other builds trust.

And trust is earned not by perfection, but by authenticity. By showing your gifts and your limitations. By revealing your character, not just crafting a persona.

“The best way to earn respect is to align your daily actions with your values.”
— Adam Grant

Elevating others isn’t about applause. It’s about action. It’s about how we show up for people, how we give credit, how we make space, and how we reflect the kind of leader and humans we aspire to be.

So, let me leave you with this: You don’t need a platform to uplift others.
You just need the courage to look, the kindness to share, and the humility to remember.

When you elevate others, you elevate yourself.

When you elevate, you rise.