Why Are Successful People Always Judged? Here's How Success Can Be a Win-Win for Everyone Why, from the outside looking in, do we feel the need to pick holes in other people's success? Is it jealousy? Or a simple fact of life? If someone wins, you do not necessarily lose.

We've all been there. Admit it. We've all seen someone on television or in business who is super successful, and we have judged them and made assumptions. Successful leaders provide inspiration and direction. They are bold, passionate and ambitious. They also — and this is the kicker — empower and nurture the strengths of others, building a team and uniting them in a common goal. They recognize the importance of people.

So, why, from the outside looking in, do we feel the need to pick holes in their strategies or cast assumptions? Psychologists would argue that jealousy is simply a part of everyday life, something we learn as children, often due to feeling lacking in one area or another. It's a case of someone else winning, then you lose.

Understanding that it happens is one thing. Reading up on the research is quite fascinating. But what are we going to do about it?

Related: Want Success? Help More, Judge Less.

How do you measure success?

Therein lies the question and the answer. We all strive for success. We all have different definitions. For some, it will be climbing the career ladder. For others, it will be planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip to walk with orangutans in Borneo, and others because they have the ideal balance between work and life.

People make the world go round. They make businesses what they are. They are unique and amazing. And complex. Successful leaders recognize this and work to unlock their people's endless potential. Yes, because it is good for business, especially for a successful business. But also because it is a better way to do business.

In today's world, maximizing what you have in business is critical. You would apply this principle to your raw materials in manufacturing, say, minimizing waste. It may sound ruthless but use the same to your people, not in a "return to the Middle Ages fashion," but in seeing your people as a valuable resource to be realized to its fullest capabilities.

And that means recognizing them for the individual that they are. Who they are at home. At work. On the playing field. And how they define success. Then support them to get there. Do that with everyone in your business, and you are on to a winner. You will have a team of successful people; motivated, empowered and connected.

Related: How to Measure the Effectiveness of Your Company's Vision

How do you nurture success?

As a highly individual concept, success can be tricky to foster in your business. It will take some time, and there will be no room for success-washing. Do it properly, or don't do it at all.

Begin with the right people to lead, those that get the value of the strategy. Their passion and leadership will naturally filter through, building a culture with success and potential at the core of everything it does. And when they do what they say they will and stick to it, they will build trust and an environment where, different as we are, we are valued and respected for that.

There will be differences, there will be passion, and there will need to be boundaries and some management, but isn't this what we are looking to harness as we step into the agile, innovative future?

Related: How to Identify and Nurture the Leadership Potential of Your Employees

Let the judgers judge.

The success of one person does not mean the failure of another person. It is natural to sometimes look at others just like you and see them achieve, in your eyes, so much more than you have at this stage. You can look at them, ask questions, learn the lessons, learn about yourself, and put your best foot forwards. Or you can hate. I know which I prefer.

Business, as in life, is complicated. Your business, your life is unique. Just because a competitor celebrates record profits or is holding an award, you are only seeing the result, not the journey. So be delighted for them and be curious and discover how they did it.

Good leaders will be happy to share their unique lessons learned. It won't be a blueprint for your business, but I guess you will uncover things to avoid and apply that will make your journey more successful.

Just as you can do better business by realizing the potential and success quotient within your people, you can do better business by sharing your knowledge with your peers. Knowledge is powerful when shared. Imagine what could be achieved.