*This post is from David’s book, “Punch Failure in The Face, The Buy It a Beer”
The ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu said, “Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love”.
Demonstrating kindness towards others is a key ingredient to living the best life possible. Every act of kindness that is performed – no matter the size – lets people know they matter to us. Whenever kindness is shown, there are no losers, only winners.
A vital part of personal leadership is the ongoing act of performing simple, often random acts of kindness that transform people’s regular days into memorable ones.
Best of all, both the givers and receivers of random acts of kindness (regardless of size) feel important and special, maybe even loved and cared for. That’s because the giving and receiving of genuine heartfelt kindness can warm even the hardest of souls.
Perhaps the kindness given is a smile or well-timed “hello” to a stranger or the service person taking our lunch order at the local sandwich shop. Maybe the kindness is holding open a door open for a shopper with an armful of parcels, or giving up a parking spot to help a mom with a car full of rambunctious kids. (Trust me, she’s grateful!)
Maybe the kindness is donating to the local food bank or supporting the Children’s Hospital with a donation, or buying a friend a cup of coffee. It doesn’t really matter what form the kindness comes in, as much as that it actually happens.
Showing kindness towards others lets them know we care about more than just ourselves. It tells those around us that not only do they matter to us, but so do their thoughts, opinions, and feelings. For these reasons, kindness is a defining trait of leadership, and one of the easiest ways to show it is with words.
Leaders understand that every conversation we have is an opportunity to show kindness using words. Leaders attempt to always use language in ways that positively affect the various people they encounter each day. People like:
· The barista who serves them coffee
· A co-worker they see in the lunchroom each day
· The janitor mopping the hallway at work
· The delivery person who drops off packages
Heck, genuine leaders even show kindness to the police officer that pulled them over that one time when they were pulled over for speeding, and you know why? Because that’s what genuine leaders do. They exude kindness to people regardless of circumstance.
One of the quickest and easiest ways to demonstrate leadership is by using six phrases and/or words that are falling out of fashion in our modern world. They are:
· “Hello”
“· Please”
· “Thank You”
· “I don’t know the answer, but I will find out for you”
· “I’m sorry”
· “How may I help?”
Since each of these encourages positive connection and conversation, anytime we use one we will create a kind of kindness conduit, which makes people feel good, and who doesn’t want to feel good? I know I do, and guess that you want to as well.
Therefore, I encourage the leadership habit of using kind words and phrases often. Do this and you’ll feel the warmth from creating – even if for a moment – a wee bit of happiness towards the people you interact with each day.
Not only will your kind words will affect them, but your own happiness cup will overflow with warm and fuzzy feelings reserved for those special people who set out to make people’s lives just a little brighter; you know, the leaders who consistently choose their words wisely.
I challenge you to be the exception. To make using kind words and phrases a habit. Do this, and there’s no telling how many lives you will positively affect, including your own.
And that, my friend, is one way a true leader rolls; by making the world a better place, one kind word or phrase at a time.
Thank you.
Author Bio: David Knapp-Fisher
As founder of The Inspired Humans Project, David loves sharing inspirational stories. His TEDx talk, “Discipline or Regret, a Father’s Decision” been viewed over 100,000 times, and his first book, “Punch Failure in The Face, The Buy It a Beer” has 36 five star reviews on amazon.ca. and this post is from it.
David lives in Victoria B.C. where he spends most of his time trying (& usually failing) to stump his son with movie trivia, or planning his next big adventure; both while drinking great coffee, of course.
Website: www.davidknappfisher.com
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