Flourishing Together: 8 Ways to Seek the Best for Others

In workplaces, on leadership podcasts, and at conferences worldwide, we often hear speakers emphasize community as a significant key to success. Phrases like, ”If you wanna go fast, go alone; if you wanna go far, go together” inspire us all to release the pressures of individualism and cultivate flourishing with people we trust. The Bible itself teaches principles that highlight the importance of community, encouraging us not to do life and leadership alone. In Matthew 10, for instance, Jesus sends the disciples into the world in pairs to bless and heal God’s lost sheep of Israel. In Acts 2:42-47, we see the early church engaging in constant fellowship, gathering to worship and meet one another’s needs. And later, in 1 Corinthians 10:23-30, the Apostle Paul instructs the church to lead by example in tending to others’ salvation as they faithfully stewarded their own. The entire Bible, from the Old Testament to the New, is filled with images and messages that promote flourishing together, challenging popular cultural ideals that encourage us to navigate life all on our own.

However, despite knowing the importance of community, the internet, the entertainment industry, and the struggles of daily life often scare us into thinking it’s safer to look out for ourselves. In a cultural climate where hardworking people don’t know when they’ll receive their next paycheck or where young people feel forced to keep up with society’s demands, it can be difficult to envision and live into a countercultural imagination that seeks the best for others. Instead, we often prioritize our own well-being over God’s communal vision of flourishing.

As a result, we’re growing increasingly lonely, selfish, and vulnerable. In this Miscellany News article, college student Ines Rozzo even says that hyper-individualism is destroying American life. From our personal relationships to our politics, Rozzo writes that “hyper-individualism breeds apathy, and apathy is poison to democracy.” Adding that “the less we care about one another, the easier it becomes for inequality, corruption, and disinformation to thrive unchecked.”

Regardless of our immediate circumstances and the very valid fears they bring, the Bible is clear that we need each other, especially in times of disruption and uncertainty. As Christians, we should be able to depend on our community, and we should also participate in keeping its spirit alive with our own empathy and action.

So, our team here at the De Pree Center wants to give you a list of 8 ways to seek the best for others, even when it feels easier to retreat inward or focus only on your own needs. We hope these practices encourage you to lean into community, offer support, and embody the love that helps us all flourish together.

Lead with joy.

Theologian and scholar Jasmine Bellamy teaches us that joy is a “mystery hidden in plain sight.” More than optimism or forced positivity, joy is the steady reminder that hope still exists even in difficult circumstances. Those who lead with joy create environments where people feel safe, encouraged, and energized rather than drained or defeated. This does not mean ignoring pain or pretending everything is fine. Instead, joyful leadership acknowledges hardship while still making room for gratitude, humor, celebration, and hope. Joy can look like encouraging your team after a hard week, celebrating small wins that others overlook, or reminding people that their work and presence matter. In a culture where cynicism often feels easier, joy becomes a form of resistance that helps communities endure.

Build intentional and diverse relationships.

Flourishing communities rarely happen by accident. It requires intentionality, vulnerability, and a willingness to move beyond relationships that are merely convenient or familiar. Building diverse relationships allows us to grow in empathy and understanding because we begin to encounter perspectives, stories, and experiences different from our own. Jesus consistently crossed social, political, economic, and cultural boundaries throughout his ministry, demonstrating that God’s love is expansive rather than exclusive. Intentional relationships challenge our assumptions, deepen our compassion, and remind us that flourishing cannot happen when entire groups of people are ignored or excluded from our circles of care. Check out this resource on learning to lead and follow together—a perfect guide for any leader looking to lead with unity.

Listen to people and ask good questions.

One of the greatest gifts we can offer someone is our genuine attention. In a fast-paced culture where people often feel unseen or unheard, listening communicates dignity and care. Moreover, as Dr. Rhonda Butler puts it, listening makes us better, wiser leaders. Good listening is not simply waiting for our turn to speak or preparing a response while someone else is talking. It involves curiosity, patience, and humility. Asking thoughtful questions such as “How are you really doing?” or “What has this experience been like for you?” creates space for honesty and connection. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus frequently asked questions, not because he lacked understanding, but because questions invite people into reflection, healing, and transformation.

Exercise forgiveness.

Community cannot survive without forgiveness because relationships inevitably involve disappointment, conflict, and misunderstanding. Forgiveness does not excuse harmful behavior or erase accountability, but it does prevent bitterness from taking root in our hearts and communities. Choosing forgiveness allows healing and reconciliation to remain possible. In many ways, forgiveness is one of the clearest reflections of the Gospel because we ourselves have received grace from God again and again. Practicing forgiveness requires courage, honesty, and wisdom, but it also frees us from cycles of resentment that keep relationships fractured and communities divided. Listen to this Making It Work podcast episode to learn more about the power of forgiveness, especially in the workplace.

Advocate for others when they’re not in the room.

It is easy to affirm people publicly when they are present, but true care often reveals itself in what we say and do behind closed doors. Advocacy means using our voice, influence, and opportunities to protect people’s dignity, amplify their contributions, and challenge unfairness even when there is nothing to gain personally. This might look like giving credit to someone overlooked in a meeting, speaking against harmful stereotypes, recommending someone for an opportunity, or defending a person who is being misrepresented. As Mark D. Roberts writes in this devotion, as God’s people, we should “treat all people fairly and work for a world that offers justice to all.” Advocacy builds trust because it communicates to others that their well-being matters beyond performative gestures or public appearances.

Show up for the things that matter.

Presence is powerful. Sometimes people do not need perfect advice or polished solutions; they simply need to know they are not alone. Showing up consistently for moments that matter—whether celebrations, losses, transitions, or everyday struggles—strengthens relationships and communicates love in tangible ways. In Scripture, we repeatedly see God described as present with God’s people, especially in seasons of uncertainty and suffering. Likewise, our willingness to be present for others reflects that same faithfulness. Nikki Daniels talks about this idea more in her interview about leading with care. Sending the text, making the call, attending the event, or sitting beside someone in grief may seem small, but these acts often leave a lasting impact on individuals, organizations, and communities.

Recognize people’s gifts and invest in their development.

Communities flourish when people are encouraged to grow into the fullness of who God created them to be. Too often, people move through life without anyone affirming their gifts, potential, or purpose. Recognizing someone’s strengths and investing in their development can transform how they see themselves and what they believe is possible. This may involve mentoring, offering encouragement, creating opportunities, sharing resources, or simply reminding someone that their voice matters. Strong leaders are not threatened by helping others grow; they come alongside others, understanding that empowering people strengthens the entire community rather than diminishing their own value.

Incorporate people into your prayers.

Prayer reminds us that people are not projects to fix or problems to solve, but beloved individuals held by God. Praying for others cultivates compassion because it keeps us connected to their needs, struggles, hopes, and well-being. It softens our hearts toward people we may otherwise overlook or misunderstand. Prayer also invites us to partner with God’s work in the world by interceding for healing, wisdom, justice, provision, and peace. Beyond private prayer, praying with others can create profound moments of encouragement and connection, reminding people that they are seen, supported, and deeply loved by both God and community. To begin praying with and for others, download 52 Workday Prayers, a guide that teaches leaders to open their minds and hearts to approach God without holding anything back.

In a world that teaches us to protect our own peace at all costs, to chase personal success above collective well-being, and to treat people as disposable when relationships become inconvenient, choosing community becomes an act of resistance. It is a declaration that we belong to one another and that God never intended for us to carry the burdens of life or leadership alone.

So, may we resist the temptation to retreat inward. May we choose empathy over apathy, presence over isolation, and generosity over fear. And may we continue building communities rooted in love, justice, and mutual care, trusting that when we flourish together, we more fully reflect the Kingdom of God.