Small Acts of Kindness

The pace of life is so fast these days that people don’t give much thought to kindness anymore. Instant gratification and self-care are two topics that are more likely to come to mind than kindness. If and when we do think of kindness, we’re more likely to think of “random acts of kindness” or perhaps some big showy display. What about small, intentional, everyday acts of kindness?

Kindness doesn’t have to be a big display or a “surprise” to make an impact. Simply holding the door open can brighten someone’s day. Giving a genuine smile or saying “thank you” can warm a person’s heart. In a world where we’re always on to the next thing, a small act of kindness can really help a fellow human to feel noticed, to feel thought of, in a sea of faces.

Maybe you’re thinking: work and kindness can’t coexist. I’d like to challenge that notion. For example, instead of leading the meeting with everything that’s wrong, try a more balanced approach. Definitely address what isn’t going well but try incorporating constructive feedback and positive reinforcement. 

In the age of work from home life, it is especially important to remember that those we work with are humans first. Between pings, emails and phone calls, we’re likely to forget the people we work with are humans first, with faces beyond the screen and real hearts. Kindness is not a weakness. When we’re kind, kindness returns to us in time. This has the potential to strengthen team morale and satisfaction at work. Who wouldn’t want a better place to work? Don’t underestimate the impact of a small act of kindness.