At the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton celebrated his second-place finish by blowing a kiss to girlfriend Kim Kardashian. It raises a layered question — how involved should we be in our partner’s work life?
Following Lewis Hamilton’s sweet but meaningful gesture to girlfriend Kim Kardashian, he made it clear it wasn’t just for the cameras, telling Sky Sports: “It’s amazing to have good people around you and good people supporting you, and she does that for me every day.”
First seen together in February 2026, the pair have garnered increasing public intrigue over the past few months. But this moment is interesting: an incredibly public, and indisputably Hollywood, expression of gratitude — a recognition of support, presence and a shared emotional investment in his success.
Touched by the moment — and slightly dazzled by the splendour of it all — it made the L360 team consider how the rest of us ordinary civilians show up for each other’s work achievements.
In Formula 1, where victories are inherently public, adrenaline-fuelled and televised, collective celebration is part of the job description. Drivers leap from cars, champagne is sprayed, families are hugged, as if marking some mythic act of conquest.
The rest of us, meanwhile, are more likely to mark a career high by updating our LinkedIn or splurging on a dinner out. Our achievements tend to happen behind closed doors, during meetings, in our inboxes or via anticlimactic project updates. Our partners are rarely present for much of our work life — unless explicitly called upon.
Which begs the question, what’s the right level of proximity when it comes to supporting a partner’s career?
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Should we all just be there or be square?
We know that the mere presence of a loved one can reduce stress. Even a brief hug from a romantic partner can significantly reduce cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone.
But the benefits go well beyond short-term reassurance. Research consistently finds that those with supportive home lives tend to fare better professionally. Psychologists call this ‘family-to-work enrichment’ — the rather unromantic term for the simple idea that emotional support, stability and practical help at home replenish the energy needed to perform at work.
Seen in that light, turning up to a work event or milestone can be a tangible expression of support.
“For many people, it’s simple. They want to share those good moments or feel visibly supported by the person who matters most to them,” says occupational therapist and neuroscientist Maria Paviour.
For your partner, your presence communicates that their work matters to you.
“Achievements feel more meaningful when they’re shared with someone who responds warmly,” says Maria. “Not simply hearing about it afterwards, but being there to witness it.”
That sense of being witnessed turns out to matter more than one might expect. According to Dr Joy Conlon, psychotherapist at Coyne Medical, people don’t just want recognition for outcomes, but for the effort, uncertainty and emotional cost behind them.
Even if the stakes aren’t quite Grand Prix level, feeling emotionally seen can reinforce confidence and resilience. “When people feel genuinely supported by those who matter to them, they’re often more willing to persevere through challenges, take risks and pursue ambitious goals,” says Dr Joy.
It may even be good for the relationship. Research suggests that how partners respond to each other’s successes is closely linked to relationship satisfaction, sometimes more so than how they respond during difficulties.
Psychologists call this ‘capitalisation’ — the idea that sharing positive experiences amplifies their emotional value. An award or promotion becomes not just a personal milestone, but part of a couple’s shared story.
As Maria puts it: “When partners share the good times, not just the hard ones, it creates a stronger sense of connection over time.”
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Support doesn’t always mean showing up
Of course, not everyone wants or needs their partner standing on the real or figurative sidelines.
Work is weird. Some of us behave differently there than we do at home. We might adopt different personas, maintain different relationships and operate by slightly different rules.
The kind of support (and behaviour) that feels comforting in private — venting after a difficult day, processing emotions or, let’s be honest, complaining — may not always translate comfortably into a professional setting.
Others have more practical concerns. Will their partner dominate conversations? Oversell their achievements? Say something disastrous to a manager and become one more thing to worry about during an already stressful event?
For some, a partner’s presence can increase pressure rather than reduce it. “Some people become very aware that someone important to them is watching,” says Dr Joy. “They may worry about disappointing them or feel their performance is being scrutinised.”
Personality plays a role, too. Some people gain energy from discussing ideas, sharing successes and thinking out loud; others prefer time alone to reflect and solve problems independently before discussing them with anyone else.
People like this may benefit more from what psychologists call ‘invisible support’ — practical help that happens quietly in the background. Taking on extra household tasks during a busy week, creating space before an important presentation or simply removing sources of stress without drawing attention to it.
Support in the modern age
These days, there’s another currency of support to negotiate. Social media has added an entirely new layer to the question, because while this kind of public praise can be validating, it can also feel performative.
Before posting a five-slide Instagram tribute to your partner’s good news, Maria suggests asking yourself, ‘Am I supporting my partner’s achievement or am I making it my own?’
“A supportive post should help your partner’s work be seen, not suggest they need someone else to establish their credibility.”
When it comes to everyday support, a well-timed message before a presentation, taking care of responsibilities at home during a stressful week or simply listening afterwards can be just as meaningful, and more effective than overt support, which Maria notes “can sometimes make a person feel managed rather than backed”.
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The art of showing up well
To Maria, the ideal role is that of a ‘supportive witness’.
A supportive witness:
- Turns up when their presence is wanted
- Understands what the moment means to their partner
- Is warm, calm and socially appropriate
- Shows genuine pride without overselling
- Allows their partner to be the most interesting person in the room
- Doesn’t compete for attention or require managing
- Steps forward when useful and steps back when not
- Celebrates fully afterwards
A skilful partner — if there can be such a thing — manages to be warm without being overbearing, interested without being intrusive and proud without making the moment about themselves.
“The most effective support is empowering rather than rescuing,” says Dr joy. It’s about standing beside someone, not stepping in front of them.
Sometimes that means sitting in the front row, smiling politely; sometimes it means staying home, cooking dinner and asking how it went afterwards. Either way, done with proper attention to your partner’s needs, the gratitude — while decidedly less cinematic than a podium kiss — is genuine and lasting.
Feature image: Alamy
