CommunicationEmployee Engagement

Are You an Uplifter?

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We all know those people who uplift others. This past week, I was with a group and mentioned Norm Adams. If you have read my work over the years, this name will be familiar to you. If not, let me explain. Norm is no longer with us physically, but like many, his legacy lives on through others. I met Norm in July of 1996. I had just moved to the Pensacola area. While waiting to enter a building, I happened to be standing next to Norm. He struck up a conversation with me. I learned that he and his wife, Martha, were also from Chicago and had just moved to the area. I quickly discovered that Norm was the type of person others naturally gravitate to. Today, I keep a photo of Norm and me on my desk at work and one at my house. Just looking at these photos brings a smile and a warm feeling.

After I mentioned Norm’s name, a person named Tim spoke up. He put into words how Norm made one feel. He said whenever he was in a room with Norm, he felt uplifted. I had not thought of that word; however, it described Norm beautifully. Tim shared how Norm always found something nice to say to a person. He was always sincere.

I like the word uplifting. It makes me think, Do I uplift others?  Sometimes yes and sometimes no. I am not sure if Norm had to work on his positivity or if it just came naturally. Either way, one could not help but feel better when they were around Norm. He saw the best in people.

Another uplifter comes to mind as I am writing this. His name is G. William “Bill” Spain. One cannot be in a room with Bill without hearing his hallelujah. He bubbles with enthusiasm and love. I have witnessed Bill deal with some difficult experiences. He stays uplifted. Every few months, I will find a message from Bill with some other helpful material on my doorstep at my house. Bill is so enthusiastic it is noticeable.

What if we were all like Norm and Bill? What if we all could bring this type of love and energy to others? What a wonderful world it would be!

Here are a few suggestions.

  1. Hold up the mirror. Do you uplift others? Do you notice what is right and positive? Do people feel better around you?
  2. Let in the positives. My experience is that some people make a habit of deflecting the positives. When complimented, they say, “It is nothing.” When you receive a compliment, let it in. Say thank you.
  3. Thank those in your life who uplift you.

When we change how we are showing up for others, we improve two lives: the other person’s and our own. To each of you, my best wishes for an uplifting 2025.

Quint Studer
If you are interested in purchasing books or having Quint speak in-person or virtually, please contact info@HealthcarePlusSG.com.

Quint is the coauthor (with Katherine A. Meese, PhD) of The Human Margin: Building the Foundations of Trust, a leadership resource that combines the latest workplace research findings with tactics proven to help people and organizations flourish. His book Rewiring Excellence: Hardwired to Rewired provides doable tools and techniques that help employees and physicians find joy in their work and enhance patients’ and families’ healthcare experiences. His book The Calling: Why Healthcare Is So Special helps healthcare professionals keep their sense of passion and purpose high. In Sundays with Quint, he shares a selection of his popular leadership columns for leaders, employees, and business owners in all industries.

Quint is the cofounder of Healthcare Plus Solutions Group®, a consulting firm that specializes in delivering customized solutions to diagnose and treat healthcare organizations’ most urgent pain points.

For more information on Quint, visit www.HealthcarePlusSG.com.

CommunicationEmployee Engagement

Are You an Uplifter?

///

We all know those people who uplift others. This past week, I was with a group and mentioned Norm Adams. If you have read my work over the years, this name will be familiar to you. If not, let me explain. Norm is no longer with us physically, but like many, his legacy lives on through others. I met Norm in July of 1996. I had just moved to the Pensacola area. While waiting to enter a building, I happened to be standing next to Norm. He struck up a conversation with me. I learned that he and his wife, Martha, were also from Chicago and had just moved to the area. I quickly discovered that Norm was the type of person others naturally gravitate to. Today, I keep a photo of Norm and me on my desk at work and one at my house. Just looking at these photos brings a smile and a warm feeling.

After I mentioned Norm’s name, a person named Tim spoke up. He put into words how Norm made one feel. He said whenever he was in a room with Norm, he felt uplifted. I had not thought of that word; however, it described Norm beautifully. Tim shared how Norm always found something nice to say to a person. He was always sincere.

I like the word uplifting. It makes me think, Do I uplift others?  Sometimes yes and sometimes no. I am not sure if Norm had to work on his positivity or if it just came naturally. Either way, one could not help but feel better when they were around Norm. He saw the best in people.

Another uplifter comes to mind as I am writing this. His name is G. William “Bill” Spain. One cannot be in a room with Bill without hearing his hallelujah. He bubbles with enthusiasm and love. I have witnessed Bill deal with some difficult experiences. He stays uplifted. Every few months, I will find a message from Bill with some other helpful material on my doorstep at my house. Bill is so enthusiastic it is noticeable.

What if we were all like Norm and Bill? What if we all could bring this type of love and energy to others? What a wonderful world it would be!

Here are a few suggestions.

  1. Hold up the mirror. Do you uplift others? Do you notice what is right and positive? Do people feel better around you?
  2. Let in the positives. My experience is that some people make a habit of deflecting the positives. When complimented, they say, “It is nothing.” When you receive a compliment, let it in. Say thank you.
  3. Thank those in your life who uplift you.

When we change how we are showing up for others, we improve two lives: the other person’s and our own. To each of you, my best wishes for an uplifting 2025.

Quint Studer
If you are interested in purchasing books or having Quint speak in-person or virtually, please contact info@HealthcarePlusSG.com.

Quint is the coauthor (with Katherine A. Meese, PhD) of The Human Margin: Building the Foundations of Trust, a leadership resource that combines the latest workplace research findings with tactics proven to help people and organizations flourish. His book Rewiring Excellence: Hardwired to Rewired provides doable tools and techniques that help employees and physicians find joy in their work and enhance patients’ and families’ healthcare experiences. His book The Calling: Why Healthcare Is So Special helps healthcare professionals keep their sense of passion and purpose high. In Sundays with Quint, he shares a selection of his popular leadership columns for leaders, employees, and business owners in all industries.

Quint is the cofounder of Healthcare Plus Solutions Group®, a consulting firm that specializes in delivering customized solutions to diagnose and treat healthcare organizations’ most urgent pain points.

For more information on Quint, visit www.HealthcarePlusSG.com.