Courage to Be Kind

I recently read an article that focused on kindness in the business world. The journalist noted that, "In the corporate world, 'kindness' is generally not a prized soft skill."* 

This struck me. 

It's interesting, in a sad kind of way, that kindness has to be singled out as a skill. Even more upsetting is that it's a skill not commonly valued. I'm aware of the well-known adages about nice people finishing last and the need to be ruthless to get ahead. Still it baffles me that a behavior taught and rewarded in Kindergarten is not prized past the age of 25. While the article did focus on the benefits kindness can bring to the workplace, the tag line read, "Take the counterintuitive approach to business success."

This got me thinking about the power of kindness. In recent years, a kindness movement has swept around the world. Nonprofits provide free educational materials on kindness, while researchers and doctors study its effects on our mood and overall health. The results show that being kind makes us happier, decreases our blood pressure, lowers cortisol and increases our self-esteem, empathy, and compassion. 

Kindess isn't a soft skill, it's a super power!

I believe being kind has been minimized because it's often considered weak. On the contrary, being kind takes courage. Kindness involves being vulnerable. Being kind means leaving the safety and security of self to seek a genuine connection with someone else. It leaves us open to misunderstanding and rejection. 

But our bravery comes with a reward of its own. Kindness is contagious. Scientists note that kindness creates a kind of ripple effect spreading outward. Our small gesture may impact others far removed in ways we will never fully know. 

Not bad for a soft skill not generally prized. Seems to me it deserves a blue ribbon!

In a world where you can be anything...be kind. ~Unknown

*Sabin, Sara. "Kindness can get you ahead." Chicago Tribune. 22 March 2021, Section 2, p.1.