We live in a time of selfishness. It's about wanting more and doing less to get it. We ask "what's in it for me?" when someone asks a favor. We're so busy we don't like to be inconvenienced for nothing.
There's competition in the workplace. We vie for recognition, raises, promotions. We want more money or prestige and often walk all over someone else to get it.
Layoffs abound. People worry about how they will survive and so kindness is put on the back burner and ruthlessness takes its place.
But, does that really make us more productive? Can we truly win the race walking over people? Can any business survive without kindness? Why would anybody want to work or shop in a place without nice people?
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| How kind of Caroline to help Stuart with his crossword. |
Kindle
1. to set alight or start to burn
2. to arouse or be aroused the project kindled his interest
3. to make or become bright
Kindness
2. A kind act.
Kindle Kindness--to light or make bright the quality of being friendly, generous, considerate.
Being kind is essential to work and life but in the stress of work we sometimes forget this important quality. Unfortunately being nice isn't something that comes naturally but has to be a conscious effort.
Kindling kindness is more than just saying the words. You have to model kindness. How can we do this at work?
- Help others. Volunteer. Don't wait to be asked.
- Find something nice to say, especially to the person who is always negative.
- Respect others and their opinion. Feel free to disagree but don't attack the person.
- Let it go--as long as it's done right does it really matter how it got done?
- Less gossip, more encouragement.
- Be patient with everyone, but especially the new people.
- Think of ways you can share a smile: secret presents, bring breakfast, buy someone a Coke.
- Before you say it TNK:
- is it True?
- is it Nnecessary?
- is it Kind?
These are just a few things I could think of to be kind in the workplace. What are things you can do at your work? Has anyone shown kindness to you?
Don't like readers. Don't have a kindle. I want to hold the book, turn the pages, write in the book.
ReplyDeleteSomeone has shown me kindness by showing a picture that includes my book title! Lately I've come across a lot of kind people, I think the blogging world is filled with kindness. I try to earn that by being kind to others, but maybe it's actually selfish, because it feels great to help people.
ReplyDeleteWonderful blog post. Very thoughtful.
Kindness is a quality I seek for in friends more than any other. In fact, one of the reasons I married my husband is because he had such kindness.
ReplyDeleteI did think it was about the kindle at first:) we all need a little kindness in our lives;)
ReplyDeleteNutschell
www.thewritingnut.com
Just A-Zing around!
Me too! But this is a nice ost. i live in a village and this sort of thing is all around. It makes life worth living for everyone. Our old folk are looked after well, too.
ReplyDeleteif you want to blog hop back to me, I'm leaving you my A-Z link as blogger
always identifies me as my shared blog with other poets - my A-Z is this one: http://www.lizbrownleepoet.com
Loved your post. Kindness seems to be going the way of the horse and buggy in many parts of the country, if we are to believe all we see on the news. Depressing. Thanks for reminding us just how important it is to be kind to every living thing.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post. I love the idea of kindling kindness. I have spend my life working to be kind as I learned early on, kindness given came back to me as kindness. As my mother used to say, you can catch more bees with honey than you can with vinegar.
ReplyDeleteAww, lovely post :) Kindle kindness, that sounds great!
ReplyDeleteNikki – inspire nordic