How difficult is it to create kind communities?
Turns out, kindness is very contagious. Studies and new analysis reveal that witnessing goodness inspires us to be kind. When we see or hear about people acting kindly or helpful, we are inspired to do the same. Even the smallest gesture can have a meaningful ripple and go a long way.
Based on my experience as a coach and small business owner, I agree. One of the things on my 2020 gratitude list is my community: the people and businesses in my local community. They give me a real sense of belonging—teamwork as a community is a great thing—and truly inspire me with their individual words and acts of kindness.
7 Simple Kind Phrases
In Working Knowledge, published by Harvard Business School, researcher, professor, and author Boris Groysberg and journalist Susan Seligson identified seven simple, yet very powerful, phrases we can use to communicate kindness:
- “I hear you.”
- “Are you okay?”
- “What can we/I do to help?”
- “How are you managing these days?”
- “I’m here for you.”
- “I know you’re doing the best you can.”
- “Thank you.”
These words go a long way to create kind communities. They help to satisfy our need for love and belonging, and create unity. That’s why kindness is most beneficial as a daily practice.
Kind Communities
You see, kindness in community sustains our capacity to thrive. The great people I work with understand this. They expand their kindness beyond their immediate circle (family, co-workers, organization) and give freely to their greater community:
- Service: reach out to those around you. This time of year, generosity and giving are top of mind. Consider ways you can extend kindness beyond the holiday season to make it a daily practice.
- Responsibility: take positive action wherever you are. Don’t give in to hopelessness, cynicism, or blame shifting. Even the smallest deed can have a positive impact.
- Integrity: do the right thing. Acknowledge the hurdles, and work to overcome them.
- Tolerance: Honor the strength in diversity. Point out the goodness and kindness in your community.
Tara Cousineau, PhD, author of The Kindness Cure (New Harbinger Publications, 2018), writes that “how we learn from our past and envision our future depend on how we choose to live in the present moment.” I have found this to be true. When kindness is my north star, compassion, generosity, and forgiveness become natural, and spread exponentially.
What about you? What has been your experience in creating kind communities? I’d love to hear from you. I can be reached here, on LinkedIn, or give me a call: 561-582-6060.
