The Virtue of Uplifting Others

To uplift someone is to raise their spirits, encourage their potential, and remind them of their worth. This virtue is about more than compliments—it’s a way of being that notices what is good in people and calls it out. In a world where criticism comes easily and comparison runs deep, those who uplift others become a rare kind of leader. Their words stick. Their presence heals. And their impact ripples through every life they touch.

A True Story: The Teacher Who Changed a Life with One Sentence

In 1992, a struggling student named Kyle Schwartz was falling behind in school. One afternoon, after bombing a test, he was sure his teacher would give up on him. But instead, his teacher quietly pulled him aside and said, “You’re not a bad student—you’re a smart kid who just needs someone to believe in him.”

Years later, Kyle became a teacher himself, determined to give every child that same kind of encouragement. He’s now known for the viral “I Wish My Teacher Knew” project, which helped kids express their feelings in writing—and helped teachers understand them better. All because one teacher chose to uplift instead of criticize.

Three Quotes from Books About Uplifting Others

In How Full Is Your Bucket? (2004), Tom Rath wrote:

We’re at our best when we fill other people’s buckets—when we increase their positive emotions, strengthen their belief, and offer real encouragement.

~ Tom Rath

In The Power of Moments (2017), Chip Heath and Dan Heath observed:

Moments of elevation—those brief boosts of recognition or encouragement—can stay with people for a lifetime.

~ Chip & Dan Heath

In Dare to Lead (2018), Brené Brown emphasized positive leadership:

The best leaders lift people up, especially when the world is trying to tear them down.

~ Brené Brown

Five More Quotes on the Power of Uplifting Others

In 2013, Maya Angelou reminded us of our influence:

People will forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.

~ Maya Angelou

In 2009, Barack Obama spoke about mutual empowerment:

The future belongs to young people with an education and the imagination to create and uplift their communities.

~ Barack Obama

In 1988, Fred Rogers explained the power of encouragement:

When we encourage others, we help them discover the strength they didn’t know they had.

~ Fred Rogers

In 2016, Oprah Winfrey said of her role in the world:

I try to be the kind of person who reminds others of who they really are.

~ Oprah Winfrey

In 2011, Simon Sinek gave this advice to leaders:

Leaders eat last because they uplift others first. That’s how trust is built.

~ Simon Sinek

Life Lesson:

You may never know the full weight of your words. A single moment of encouragement can shape someone’s destiny. Like the teacher who saw potential in Kyle Schwartz, your decision to lift others instead of pulling them down may ripple out further than you’ll ever see. In a world filled with doubt, be someone who helps others believe again. That’s how you change lives—one kind word at a time.