Just because I'm kind doesn't mean I'm a push over

I always think the world needs a lot more kindness in it and that includes the corporate world of offices, contracts, factories, supply chains and especially the part that most of us actually have influence over - our daily interactions with colleagues.

Even though lots of us are still working from home we can still spread a little kindness - even in day long zoom calls! With video calls becoming more of the norm in whatever this next normal looks like, kindness can take many forms - checking in with colleagues NOT about work, being respectful of time limits on meetings and being aware that now we can all meet up again that some people are more open to being close than others are as yet. Just FYI if I haven’t seen you in real life as a 3D person for a while or ever (I started a new role during the pandemic remotely) then there is going to be much squealing, talking too much and hugging when it’s allowed!

But there is also another side to kindness that happens too regularly in the workplace, the perception that because a person is consistently kind that they are somehow a push over. This is a mistaken assumption as much as it is patently untrue.

Kind people are that way, in my experience, because they know only too well what it is like to not be treated with empathy, kindness or respect in difficult times or just everyday life. Some of the kindest people I know are also the strongest, and have survived horrible circumstances. They continually choose to be much nicer to the world because they know EXACTLY what it is like when people are not kind or when no-one helped them. Or even when they had had enough and were willing to end it all until a stranger said something nice to them.

Kindness is a superpower that we all have the ability to access without any potion or mutation.

Although a decent cup of tea definitely counts as a magic potion in my daily life.

So make it your mission to be kinder to someone everyday whether in your office, or on that Teams call, or on the school run - it doesn’t matter where - but the who does matter. Compliment a stranger just because you like their shoes or smile - it just needs to be genuine, they might need to hear something nice today. Make a cup of tea for the person you can’t stand in the office, you never know how much they need to be seen today.

Why carry other people’s negativity around? There are lots of things outside of our individual control, so take control of something we can change.

The world needs more kind people. Nicer humans. Stronger, more resilient communities made up of kind people.