I’ve always loved the notion of lifting as you climb. The ascent, wherever it takes you, hardly seems worth it if you don’t bring people along with you. I recently had an expeience that shed a slightly different light on this phrase that I think is really valuable for all our relationships.

Once again, Nathan and I are at a professional crossroads. An incredible opportunity is brewing for Nathan and I am really excited for him and for our family if it ends up working out. With this professional opportunity also comes an opportunity in our relationship to enhance the positivity in how we talk to each other. As we’ve discussed this opportunity, I’ve had the delightful chance to remind Nathan of all his experiences that qualify him to pursue this opportunity, that negotiating a salary and benefits is something he is entitles to do, and that he really is the perfect person for the job.

I shared this conversation with the BossedUp Courage Community and the founder and CEO of BossedUp commented that this is a great example of lifting as you climb. I was surprised, as my intent in sharing this experience was to express appreciation for everything I had learned from the organization that I had in turn been passing along to my spouse. But as I thought about it a little more, I realized that her comment made perfect sense.

I’ve always thought of lifting as you climb to mean that as you get promoted you promote people behind you and make their way a little bit lighter. Certainly, that is one component of lifting as you climb, but it’s not the only component. Lifting as you climb also means using your knowledge to uplift your peers, and that includes your spouse, to higher planes.