On a large scale, making the world a better place can seem overwhelming. Though one person may not have the capacity to single-handedly change the world, you have the power to make a positive impact little by little every day. The accumulation of spreading kindness, love, and empowerment is rewarding and will create tangible change. Making a positive impact can be as simple as listening deeply and being a positive influence in someone’s life, to getting involved in your community or a cause that matters to you.

Here are our 4 ways to make an impact and grow your leadership through emotional intelligence:

1. Empathize and Listen

Make an impact by using emotional intelligence through empathy and listening. We all have tough days. Maybe it’s the weather, work, or personal stressors. Being able to provide a safe space through deep listening creates trust. Trust is the foundation of meaningful relationships and fruitful partnerships. When you create trust in your relationships, people feel inspired to share openly and respond in kind. Imagine a partnership, business, or personal where you both trust each other, listen to what the other party has to say, and do your best to understand the other person’s experience or point of view. Empathy and listening will amplify the quality of your relationships and skyrocket your results.

2. Acknowledge and Inspire Someone into Action

Making a positive impact can also be as simple as taking the time to acknowledge and inspire someone into action. Taking time to acknowledge someone by letting them know you see their efforts, talents, or resilience informs them that they are valuable and appreciated. Creating this type of environment, whether you’re in the office or chatting over coffee, matters. As you affirm what’s working or what you admire about others, you can also inspire them to take action on something that will make a difference for them or for the world. An example of what this could sound like is, “Wow, I am blown away by the level of detail and attention you brought to our project. What I see possible for you is to share with the rest of the team how to do it too.” In this example, you’re affirming what’s working and inspiring someone to take it to the next level. Being able to affirm and inspire are leadership qualities that leave a lasting impact on others.

“ Recognize that every interaction you have is an opportunity to make a positive impact on others.

— Shep Hyken, New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author.

3. Get Involved with Your Community

Getting involved with your already existing communities, networking circles, and friendships, is one of the most direct ways to make a positive impact. It is a rewarding way to create a personal connection and to contribute to those around you. Start by connecting with your peers and ask them about causes they’re already involved in. As your conversation continues, ask what is needed. There is almost no limit to the impact you can create contributing to a cause that matters to you and your peers. Getting involved in your community isn’t hard and with a little time, you can make a big difference. Make a lasting impact by giving back and cultivating community, growth, and change around causes that matter to you.

4. Share Your Knowledge and Skills with Others

Sharing your knowledge and strengths is yet another essential leadership skill. It fosters and inspires others to grow. When you share with others, you’re teaching them something special about you and your journey. Imagine what would be possible if your community was in the mode of collaboration and contribution. This mindset creates new ideas and opportunities. As a happy byproduct, you will continue to deepen your knowledge and skillset along the way too. When you are in contribution to others, you make a positive impact.

You may think – my knowledge or skills aren’t that special.

As a reminder, you have your own unique set of strengths, knowledge, and experience, because of the life you’ve led. Think about all the lessons you’ve learned and how they might change even a single person’s livelihood. Sharing your knowledge with your community is a beautiful gift. As a leader, you have perspectives and ideas that can directly impact your community for the better. By using your voice and sharing your skills, you become an essential part of your community. Success isn’t just about wealth. It’s about how you inspire others and make a difference along the way.