Disruptive By Design: Redefining Success: When Lifting Others Lifts You Higher

In many workplaces, success is often narrowly defined by individual metrics: how well we perform our roles, how efficiently we meet deadlines, how consistently we deliver results and how often we exceed expectations. While these are important markers, they are only part of the story. Real excellence extends far beyond personal achievements; it blossoms when we actively contribute to the growth and success of those around us. 

True success isn’t a solo act, but a symphony where every player elevates the performance of the entire orchestra. When we redefine success in this way, we shift to being impactful professionals—the kind who leave a lasting mark not only on projects but also on people.

Success is about influence—not the superficial kind—but the genuine, positive impact created through consistently sharing your expertise, demonstrating professionalism and integrity and helping peers develop. The best teams and the best workplaces thrive when knowledge flows freely and people feel empowered to learn and contribute. That starts with a mindset: seeing your work not as an isolated task list, but as part of a larger ecosystem of shared success.

Here’s the simple truth: You don’t need to be a manager or team lead to teach others. Some of the most powerful teaching happens informally, in passing conversations, in how you explain your thought process, or in how you document your work. Whether you’re walking a colleague through a tool, writing a clear summary or simply taking time to explain why a decision was made, you’re contributing to a culture of learning. As Albert Einstein once said, “If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” Teaching others not only helps them, but it also sharpens your own understanding.

Many worry that supporting others might hinder their own progress. Yet, the reality is that purposeful teaching and shared learning often boost your efficiency. You’re not just helping teammates; you’re eliminating bottlenecks, fostering deeper trust and distributing knowledge so you’re never the only one with critical skills, preventing you from becoming a single point of failure. This approach guards against burnout and empowers your entire team to scale to new challenges. It’s not about doing someone else’s work for them. It’s about making knowledge accessible and empowering others to step up.

Quietly setting a high standard in the workplace often earns the most profound respect. It is more than the quality of your individual work, and in the way you treat others, respond to questions and navigate challenges. When you model excellence with generosity, when you show up prepared, keep your word and make space for others to learn, you’re creating an environment where that behavior becomes contagious. 

The work you do today will eventually be replaced, revised or retired. But the people you influence, the ones you help grow, carry your legacy forward. That’s how cultures are shaped. That’s how real impact is made.

Reflecting on my first big project in the military, the recognition I received for my individual contribution truly drove me to excel. Yet, as each project came my way, I started to realize that my work was not only earning me recognition, but it was also shining a brighter light on the entire team, allowing me to help them grow and succeed through our collective achievements. Now, every piece of work I do is driven by a desire to lift the whole team. So, as you focus on your goals and responsibilities, ask yourself: Who can I bring with me? What can I share? What will I leave behind beyond the task list? I think the answer to those questions might just define your career more than any project ever could.