Why It’s Harder to Share Success Than Failure (Even for Simon Sinek)

Who do you call when things go right?

Simon Sinek, in an episode of The Diary of a CEO, admitted something that caught me off guard:

"I have fewer friends that I can go to when things go perfectly than I would go to when things go wrong."

Think about that for a second. We often have a long list of people who will rally around us in tough times, but when it comes to sharing good news, that list shrinks dramatically. Why do we hesitate to celebrate our wins, even with those closest to us?

It’s one of life’s strange paradoxes. We’re quick to support people through their struggles, but when it’s time to share our own success, we hold back, worried about coming across as boastful. But shouldn’t real friends celebrate our highs as much as they support us during the lows?

Are You a Freudenfreude or Schadenfreude Friend?

Here’s a quick self-check: Are you the friend who only shows up during tough times, or do you also cheer when someone else is winning? There’s even a word for this: Freudenfreude—the joy we feel when someone else succeeds. It’s the opposite of Schadenfreude, the satisfaction of seeing someone else struggle.

Freudenfreude friendships are the ones we all need more of—the kind where you can share your good news without feeling like you need to apologize for it.

Bragging Is a Celebration

Let’s get one thing straight—bragging isn’t a dirty word. In fact, it’s something we should be doing more often. Bragging is about owning and celebrating our achievements. Sharing your wins isn’t about arrogance—it’s about connecting with others and letting them share in your joy. If we hide our successes, how can we expect others to celebrate them with us?

Bragging is about spreading positivity. When we openly share our wins, we encourage others to do the same. It’s a ripple effect—one that leads to a culture of genuine celebration.

How to Build a Network of Celebrators

I used to call my grandmother first whenever I had good news. She was always happy for me—grandmother-level happy, the kind of steady joy that made me feel like my news mattered. But I never called her with bad news. “Bad news travels fast,” my family used to say. When things went wrong, word got around quickly on its own. But celebrating? That needed intention.

As we think about who we can call to share good news, we need to be intentional. Find those who are genuinely happy for your success.

• Find Your Freudenfreude Friends: Who can you call to share your best news? These are the people who truly get it—hold onto them.
• Be That Friend: When someone shares their good news with you, celebrate it. Give a shout-out, send a high-five emoji, or just tell them how awesome it is. Don’t just be the friend for the hard times—be there for the victories too.

Bringing It All Together

At the end of the day, our lives are shaped by the people we choose to share them with. If we only show up for the tough stuff, we’re missing out on half the story. As Simon Sinek pointed out, he only has four friends he feels comfortable sharing good news with. The challenge for all of us? To grow that number—and to be the kind of friend who welcomes and celebrates the successes of others with open arms.

How do you feel about sharing your success? Do you find it harder than sharing challenges? Let’s talk in the comments.

Next time something amazing happens, don’t keep it to yourself. Call your Freudenfreude friends. And if you're looking for someone to share your wins with, count me in.