In improv, one of the fundamental rules is simple: make your partner look good. It builds trust, sharpens instincts, and elevates performance. The same principle applies in leadership. Leaders who focus on elevating others create stronger teams, drive better outcomes, and cultivate a culture of trust and collaboration.
This isn’t just a nice idea—it’s a strategy backed by science. Social reciprocity, cognitive psychology, and evolutionary biology all point to the power of lifting others up. Leaders who do this don’t just create goodwill; they build high-performing organizations where people are engaged, innovative, and willing to go the extra mile.
The Science Behind Making Others Look Good
Success in any organization isn’t about individual wins—it’s about how well a team functions together. Human biology favors cooperation over competition, and making others look good is an essential part of that.
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- Neuroscienceshows that recognition triggers oxytocin, the hormone that strengthens social bonds and trust.
- Research on workplace dynamics shows that fostering positive work relationships enhances both individual and team performance. Leaders who actively elevate others contribute to a culture of trust and collaboration, which not only improves job satisfaction but also increases overall productivity and innovation.
- Research on reciprocity confirms that people are more likely to support and invest in those who have supported them. This is why making others look good ultimately strengthens a leader’s own influence
When a leader makes others look good, it doesn’t diminish their own standing. Instead, it reinforces their influence by creating an environment where everyone wants to contribute their best work.
The Improv Rule in Action
In improv, success depends on how well performers respond to their scene partners. If one person tries to control the scene or take all the attention, it falls apart. The best improvisers know that their job is to set others up for success—because when one person shines, the entire performance does.
The same is true in leadership. Leaders who actively support, recognize, and elevate others create a culture where:
- People feel valued and heard. They contribute more because they know their work matters.
- Creativity and problem-solving thrive. When people aren’t worried about credit, they focus on collaboration.
- Trust is built. When leaders consistently make others look good, the team works with a shared sense of purpose.
How Leaders Can Make Others Look Good
The principle is simple, but applying it consistently requires intention. Here are ways leaders can make others look good:
- Shift the Spotlight – Instead of taking credit, highlight contributions from team members. Recognition strengthens motivation and engagement.
- Reinforce Strengths – When people see their strengths acknowledged, they lean into them even more. Call out specific skills and contributions in public and private.
- Build on Ideas – In meetings, instead of shutting down an idea, add to it. A “Yes, and” mindset makes collaboration flow naturally.
- Redirect Praise – When receiving a compliment, point to the people who made it possible. This creates a culture of shared success.
- Support Growth – Give others opportunities to take the lead in key meetings, presentations, and decision-making moments.
Leadership Is a Team Sport
The best leaders don’t see success as a solo act. They understand that their role is to create an environment where everyone thrives. Making others look good isn’t just a leadership technique—it’s a mindset that builds stronger teams, drives better results, and creates a culture where people want to do their best work.
This rule of improv works because it taps into something deeper: people do their best when they feel supported, valued, and recognized. A leader’s impact isn’t measured by how much attention they get, but by how well they help others succeed.
