This question came up in a conversation recently, and it stuck with me:
Have you helped someone lately?
Not in a big, dramatic way. Not changing someone’s life overnight. Just… helped. Made an introduction. Took a call. Gave advice. Listened.
And the more I thought about it, the more I realized how much we need this reminder right now.
Because everything has gotten so transactional.
When Everything Becomes a Transaction, Something Gets Lost
Careers. Hiring. Networking. Even conversations.
So much of it has turned into:
- What can I get?
- How fast can this move?
- What’s in it for me?
And I get it. People are busy. Everyone’s under pressure. But when everything becomes a transaction, we forget something pretty important:
We’re human beings first.
At the end of the day, careers don’t move forward because of systems or tools or perfectly timed resumes. They move forward because people help people.
Why the People Who’ve “Been There a While” Matter So Much
I’ve noticed something over the years.
People who’ve been in their roles for three, five, ten years — the ones who are stable, grounded, not scrambling — often find the most fulfillment in helping others.
There’s something powerful about turning around and offering a hand.
Making an introduction.
Mentoring someone earlier in their career.
Sharing insight that would’ve saved you a headache ten years ago.
And people who already do this know the feeling and value it provides.
Helping Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated
This isn’t about formal mentorship programs or grand gestures.
Sometimes helping looks like:
- Taking a 15-minute call
- Introducing two people who should know each other
- Reviewing a resume
- Encouraging someone who’s stuck
- Saying, “I don’t have an answer, but I know someone who might”
Small things. Human things.
And here’s the funny part: most people like helping. It feels good. It reminds you where you came from. It reconnects you to why you started in the first place.
The Ripple Effect Is Real
What I’ve seen time and time again is this:
Help tends to come back around.
When you show up for others, you become part of something bigger than your own career.
You become a connector.
A trusted name.
Someone people remember.
A Gentle Reminder (Not a Guilt Trip)
This isn’t about shaming anyone or saying you’re doing something wrong.
It’s just a pause.
A moment to ask yourself:
- Have I helped someone recently?
- Am I paying forward what others once gave me?
- Am I making space for connection, not just transactions?
If the answer is no — that’s okay. This blog is just the reminder.
Michelle DeWeese brings over two decades of proven success in executive search, with a career defined by building high-performing teams across a wide range of industries. For for the past 15 years, Michelle has specialized in talent acquisition for the manufacturing and distribution sectors. Michelle holds both a Bachelor's degree and an MBA from Michigan State University. Outside of work, she enjoys golfing, playing pickleball, and spending time with her husband, Shawn, and their two Aussiedoodles, Zoe and Harper.
At Unified Talent Group, we partner with organizations of all sizes—from agile startups with limited HR infrastructure to global Fortune 100 companies. No matter where you are on your growth journey, you’ve come to the right place. We’re here to streamline and strengthen your talent acquisition strategy—efficiently, effectively, and with lasting impact.
