If you want people to show up for you - show up for them first.
If there’s one underrated superpower at work, it’s giving credit - generously, and often. When your teammate goes out of their way to help, contributes meaningfully, or quietly ships something excellent, take a moment to recognize it, publicly.
A quick message, a public shout-out, or just looping them into appreciation can go a long way. This simple gesture builds real trust. Over time, people start showing up for each other more. It leads to faster, better collaboration - because everyone knows they’re seen, respected, and safe to contribute.
Here are a few low-effort, high-impact ways to build this habit into your everyday workflow:
- call out thoughtful reviews
- mention someone in a demo who helped unblock you
- add a thank-you line in retros or Slack updates
- tag a teammate in a PR comment for their idea that helped
- shout out to folks who support behind the scenes - infra, ops, etc
Professionally, this isn’t just feel-good advice - it is also strategic :) You’re actually shaping a culture where wins are shared, and where people want to work with you, not just around you.
Don’t underestimate how far a little gratitude can go. It’s one of the fastest ways to earn trust, build influence, and strengthen your team.
Give credit often - it costs nothing but builds everything.