TL;DR: Master the art of making others feel valued for better business relationships
Making people feel appreciated and energized is a vital skill for entrepreneurs. The article explores practical ways to uplift others, like paying attention to details, offering genuine compliments, and mastering active listening. In business, this skill fosters stronger client partnerships, team loyalty, and memorable networking moments.
• Strengthen connections by remembering personal details and celebrating achievements.
• Build trust with undivided attention and authentic acknowledgment of efforts.
• Create impactful impressions in business through emotional resonance and consistent follow-ups.
Pro Tip: Emotional intelligence and being present are key in business success. Learn how presence can enhance team trust and engagement in this guide. Try one strategy today and see how people respond!
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Making someone feel instantly lighter and more appreciated in your presence is not only a rare skill but also an underrated superpower. For entrepreneurs, startup founders, and business owners, mastering this social art can significantly impact team dynamics, client relationships, and professional networks. While charisma often steals the spotlight, the real magic lies in intentional, authentic human connections, something most people overlook. Let’s explore why this social skill matters in business and how you can master it with practical, actionable tips.
What does it mean to make people light up?
Great interpersonal skills go beyond being likable or kind. It’s about creating an environment where others feel energized, seen, and valued. According to research by Lorraine K. Lee, presence is a key factor in this social phenomenon, making people feel safe, acknowledged, and connected. This isn’t innate for most, but it is a skill you can learn and refine.
- Presence is the act of being fully engaged and attentive.
- Emotional resonance happens when people feel understood and appreciated.
- Non-verbal cues like maintaining eye contact and nodding amplify interactions.
The ability to infuse joy or inspiration into everyday connections isn’t just “nice to have,” especially in business, it’s essential for building long-lasting relationships. Here’s how to do it.
What are the 8 ways to instantly uplift people?
As a serial entrepreneur, I’ve come to realize that simple shifts in behavior can transform the energy of a room. These are the methods I use, and they can create powerful outcomes for every interaction:
- Remember and mention details: Bring up something specific from your last conversation, this shows you care and are paying attention. Example: Referencing someone’s recent project success or asking about their family.
- Master undivided attention: Turn off distractions, make eye contact, and focus wholly on the person talking. Remember, multitasking during a conversation fractures connection.
- Go beyond surface questions: Ask deeper, open-ended questions like “What excites you about this idea?” instead of generic small talk.
- Celebrate small wins: React enthusiastically even to modest accomplishments, it boosts morale and builds stronger rapport.
- Acknowledge effort: Validate someone’s hard work or persistence, regardless of the result. For example, “Taking that risk to pitch your idea took courage, and that’s admirable.”
- Create quiet space: Conversations don’t always need fillers; moments of silence can press reset and invite authenticity.
- Be vulnerable and real: Share your own struggles. Saying something like “I also face uncertainty all the time” normalizes challenges and invites openness.
- Follow through consistently: Reliability in small gestures matters immensely; keep your promises, even the tiniest ones.
Why does this matter for entrepreneurs?
Entrepreneurship is inherently stressful, between leading teams, pitching investors, or simply holding onto a balanced mental state, founders have limited time to invest in deep, emotional connection. Yet those connections often unlock opportunities that far outweigh transactional dealings. Making people light up empowers them, ensures trust, and fosters loyalty, qualities money can’t buy.
- Client relationships: Positive energies strengthen business collaborations, accelerates deals, and creates memorable partnerships.
- Team engagement: A motivated and appreciated team will perform better because they trust and respect your leadership.
- Networking impact: People are naturally drawn to those who make them feel valued, doubling your chances in professional circles.
For instance, in a high-stakes meeting, simply complimenting an investor for a recent achievement or genuinely engaging with their personal interests will make your pitch stand out. This tactic builds emotional resonance, which helps conversations linger positively in someone’s memory.
Tips for mastering this skill in daily life
- Practice active listening: Keep the phone away, maintain eye contact, and avoid interrupting.
- Keep a connection memo: Log personal details about people you frequently interact with, for example, hobbies or notable dates.
- Use non-verbal affirmations: Nod, smile, or use open postures during conversations.
- Start with an upbeat note: Enter conversations with energy, like starting calls or meetings with a warm smile and positive tone.
- End on a positive action: Follow through with something specific, sending a thank-you note or connecting them with relevant contacts.
Common mistakes you should avoid
- Fake enthusiasm: Over-the-top gestures or compliments come across as insincere.
- Interrupting too often: People don’t feel heard when you’re overly focused on what to say next.
- Being unaware of body language: Closed posture, lack of eye contact, or distracted behavior sends the wrong signals.
- Trying to “one-up” the person’s story: Sharing your success immediately after theirs diminishes their moment.
- Breaking promises: Failing to deliver on commitments damages trust more than you realize.
Avoid these pitfalls, and you’ll stand out as someone who genuinely uplifts others both personally and professionally.
Final thoughts
Being the kind of person who inspires and energizes others might seem underrated in fast-paced business environments, yet it’s an edge that can transform your leadership presence and outcomes. As a founder, you don’t just chase profits or scalability, you build human relationships that drive true success. Make intentional emotional connection a priority, and you’ll create impact beyond transactions.
Your challenge? Experiment with one technique today and notice how people respond. Start conversations differently. Offer deeper insights into your gratitude or curiosity. One meaningful interaction at a time, you’ll shift into a leadership style others admire deeply.
Explore more actionable life skills shared by Lorraine K. Lee in her book, or dive into my other articles on team dynamics and leadership here.
FAQ on Making People Feel Instantly Uplifted
How can I make people feel valued in conversations?
Making people feel valued starts with practicing active listening. Turn off distractions, maintain direct eye contact, and nod occasionally to affirm their words. Additionally, referencing details from previous conversations, such as asking about a shared topic or event, highlights your attentiveness and care. When people sense they are truly listened to and remembered, it fosters trust and appreciation. Strong communication skills like these can boost not only your personal relationships but also professional ones. Explore essential startup skills for female founders for deeper insights into impactful communication strategies.
Why is emotional intelligence vital in uplifting others?
Emotional intelligence allows you to perceive, understand, and respond to others’ emotions effectively. By picking up subtle non-verbal cues, like body language or tone, and empathizing with their perspectives, you create an inclusive and safe environment. Entrepreneurs and leaders who excel in emotional intelligence build stronger teams and client relationships. For example, showing empathy during tough discussions fosters loyalty and resilience. Learn about mastering mindset and emotional intelligence for success.
How can celebrating small wins transform relationships?
Acknowledging small wins, such as someone meeting a minor personal goal or overcoming a small challenge, creates an atmosphere of positivity and recognition. Validation, even for seemingly insignificant achievements, boosts confidence and deepens bonds. Leaders who applaud efforts encourage productivity and maintain team morale. A strategic focus on appreciation like this strengthens your professional ecosystem. Discover how to grow as a female founder through small, actionable steps.
What role does vulnerability play in better connections?
Transparency and vulnerability are powerful tools in relationships. By speaking openly about your own struggles or challenges, you encourage others to share authentically, fostering genuine empathy. Sharing a simple, “I've struggled with that, too,” can make people feel supported and reduce judgment. Vulnerability nurtures trust and sets the foundation for deep, meaningful connections. Dive into tactics for rewiring for confidence and trust.
How can startups benefit from uplifting team members?
In entrepreneurial settings, providing emotional uplift isn’t just a nice gesture , it drives key business outcomes. Team members who feel valued contribute more creatively and productively. By embedding morale-boosting behaviors into your leadership style, like celebrating efforts or being genuinely present, you ensure a collaborative and motivated team. Explore trends redefining startup leadership success in 2026.
What does “following through on small promises” look like?
Following through means fulfilling even the smallest commitments, whether it's sending a follow-up email or connecting someone to a resource. By proving you are reliable, you not only enhance your reputation but also build deeper trust in your relationships. Reliability, especially in professional circles, creates loyalty and enduring partnerships. Learn how Europe's female founder ecosystems prioritize accountability.
Why is silence important in impactful conversations?
Intentional silence creates space for others to reflect and share. It prevents filling conversations with unnecessary chatter, allowing deeper thoughts to emerge. During serious or emotional dialogues, silence breaks allow you to process and respond more thoughtfully. This invites authenticity and can transform a conversation from superficial to memorable. Use silence as a tool to show respect and attentiveness.
How can entrepreneurs use this skill to succeed in networking?
Making people feel uplifted and valued during networking events helps you stand out. Genuine compliments, considerate follow-up conversations, and an ability to connect on a deeper level ensure you build stronger professional ties. People tend to remember leaders who inspire and energize them. Tap into networking best practices through Europe’s female founder hubs.
What mistakes should I avoid when building connections?
Avoid common blunders such as fake enthusiasm, interrupting others, displaying closed body language, or “one-upping” someone’s story with your own. These behaviors come across as self-focused rather than uplifting. Maintaining genuine interest and empathy ensures you build authentic relationships.
How can I integrate uplifting strategies into daily life?
Uplifting others can start with small gestures. Begin each day with a goal to have one meaningful interaction. Practice active listening in meetings or casual conversations. Publicly appreciate or thank someone for their effort, even on minor achievements. Using tools like journals to track connections or setting reminders about anniversaries or milestones can help you stay consistent. Gradual adoption of these habits can significantly redefine your social reach and influence.
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the “gamepreneurship” methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the point of view of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.