The “super power” that I value, appreciate and try to emulate the most is, hands down, kindness. It is the most underused and undervalued business success tool that we have.
I have watched the power of kindness transform people’s lives with a simple word, gesture or random act. Kindness changes the way we feel and see the world and other people. It can melt away fear, anger, resentment and differences. It can foster understanding, tolerance and camaraderie.
I travel to a few conferences annually that I have decided are the ones I want to attend and that provide the best experience and community for me. Here are some of the characteristics that make these conferences better than the rest:
- They are well thought out.
- They focus on my experience.
- They stay one step ahead of what I might need.
- They go first class with my accommodations, amenities and socializing.
- They train their staff to be friendly, pleasant, kind and thoughtful.
I really appreciate all those things, especially the last one. That, to me, takes a considerable amount time, effort and planning. If I am going to travel and take the time and energy to attend conferences, it’s those fine points that really matter and make a difference to my overall outcome.
The power of kindness and thoughtfulness in our business relationships goes a very long way. It’s an expression of gratitude and appreciation, that we should be expressing and articulating daily in all of our valued business relationships.
We can show our appreciation and thoughtfulness in simple, yet impacting ways. People always remember how you make them feel. And when you make them feel appreciated they remember. Here are some ways to accomplish that:
- Take the time to say thank you to people directly and in person at the moment they are thoughtful.
- When situations come up that are handled and resolved promptly, acknowledge them and the people who resolved them.
- Write a personal note or send a thank you card to a supervisor when you’ve had a positive experience with one of their team members.
- Develop a reciprocal mindset: receive and give.
- Take someone aside and acknowledge them in the moment before you forget.
- Volunteer to help colleagues and superiors with any projects or initiatives they are working on.
- Do something nice for someone without them knowing about it.
- Smile, be pleasant, accommodating and enjoyable to be around.
- Hug, if you are comfortable with this, as a gesture of appreciation whenever possible.
Kindness is an underused power in small business success. Use it more daily and watch what can happen.
Super Power Photo via Shutterstock
Aira Bongco
Kindness will always pay you in the end and it works with business. You do good things for your customers not because you can get anything out of it but because it is the right thing to do.
deborah shane
It is indeed the right thing to do and it pays BIG dividends.
Deborah: You are welcome to a potluck (un)conference filled with kindess! Check out WebCoast in Gothenburg, Sweden. I participated at this conference for the fifth time and I have been involved in the working team on a pro-bono basis.
I held a session on how you could support bloggers, podcasters and other content creators.
Hear, hear. I’ll never forget some of the favors I’ve received from people along the way, and the good feeling one gets from paying that kindness forward. We need more of it in the world of business, frankly.
deborah shane
Michael, thank for being a power of example of how this works. Pay kindness forward!