In the everyday business environment, we always talk about performance, goals and KPIs. We measure performance, efficiency and deadlines. And what do we talk about less often? Support. It is the thing that ties it all together.
Stop for a moment and think how many of us have had or have support right now?
Support does not have to come in the form of advice, solutions or grand gestures. Sometimes it’s just a feeling that we’re not alone when we’re going through a challenging time. Sometimes it is a colleague who knows when to be present – without pressure, without expectations. Sometimes it is a space to make mistakes without being immediately judged.
In today’s business world, this kind of support is often lost. Empathy declines because people are overwhelmed. The focus is on results, not interpersonal relationships. Colleagues retreat into their tasks, and leaders often keep their distance out of fear of appearing weak. We function more and more as isolated, rather than interconnected systems.
However, support is not weakness. On the contrary, it is a driver of growth, a support in uncertain times and a key stress regulator. Teams where support exists as a core value have more mutual trust, communicate more openly, resolve conflicts faster and achieve better results in the long term.
That is why it is important to ask ourselves: What can I do?
As colleagues, we can simply be present. We can ask “How are you really?”. We can listen without interruption. We can offer support without expecting anything in return.
As leaders, we can create a space where mistakes are accepted as part of the process. We can ask before criticizing. We can lead the team not only according to goals, but also according to mutual trust. And, perhaps most importantly, we can use our behaviour to give permission for others to be authentic and vulnerable.
Because in the end, support is the foundation of everything healthy in an organization. Without it, there are no healthy teams, open communication, sustainable growth and lasting trust.
So, let’s be the ones who see others. Let’s offer support and not forget to ask for it from time to time.
