Every nod, every smile, every interaction can completely change the course of someone else’s day. We can either wield that influence in a positive, or in a negative way.

Empowering others is one of the most important acts one can do for other people. Empowering others means not criticizing them. Empowering others means not judging them. Empowering others means not being cynical toward them. Empowering others means praising the struggling student in the class on his or her progress—any progress, no matter how small.

Empowering others means adopting a growth mindset, believing talents can be developed through hard work, good strategies, and support from others. Empowering others is acknowledging and embracing imperfection in our self and in others, as our “imperfection” is the spice that makes us individuals. We all have our flaws, peculiarities, and weirdness… our imperfections, which make us unique.

Finally, empowering others means identifying with them, being happy for them, praising them on their accomplishments. People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. Start using words and phrases that empower people. Instead of “I am sorry, or I am always late” try “Thank you for waiting for me”

At the end, empowering others also means… empowers us