Be Kind. It's That F***ing Simple.
The world has become so cold that when a stranger holds the door for me, I'm genuinely shocked.
Think about the best teacher or coach you've ever had. Was it the one who constantly yelled at you? Or was it the one who praised you and noticed when you were having a bad day and asked if you were okay? For me, the best leaders were always the ones who cared about people, not just results.
Kindness Isn't Just for Leaders
Being kind and understanding isn't just important for teachers, coaches or bosses. It matters in all walks of life: at home, at school, online and even at the grocery store. Right now, it feels like kindness is getting harder to find. It’s gotten to a point, where it feels strange to me, when someone is nice to me, it totally changes my day.
Here's the thing: we never really know what's going on in someone else's life. The kid who's being mean might have parents who are getting divorced. The cashier who seems grumpy might be worried about paying rent. Your friend who's been completely quiet at dinner might be dealing with something they're scared to talk about.
What Real Kindness Looks Like
Being truly kind doesn't mean just feeling sorry for someone. It means:
Paying attention: Notice when your friend isn't smiling as much as usual. These little changes matter.
Trying to understand why people act the way they do: Instead of getting mad when someone is rude, ask yourself: "What might be making them act this way?" Maybe they're scared, stressed or just got someone terrible news. You never know…
Asking questions instead of guessing: Don't make up stories about why someone did something. Just ask them.
Putting myself in other peoples shoes has massively helped me understand other people and their actions.
Why Kind Leaders Rock
When leaders (like teachers, parents or team captains) are kind, amazing things happen. People feel safe to make mistakes and learn from them. They're not afraid to ask for help or open up to you. They work harder because they want to.
I've seen how one kind teacher can change an entire classroom. I’ve seen how the change of management, has completely changed the way the team sees work. It impresses me every time, seeing how the change in leadership style, to one that is people-focused and empathetic, has such a profound impact on others and subsequently the results.
How to Be Kind Every Day
You don't need to do huge things to be kind. The small stuff matters:
Really listen when someone talks to you (put your phone away!, and I mean out of sight)
Help without being asked
Give without expecting return
Be patient
Thank the bus driver or cafeteria worker
Smile
It Takes Courage to Care
Sometimes being kind feels risky, weirdly. People might think I am being "too nice" or weak. But caring about others when everyone else seems too busy or too cool to care? I believe, that takes real strength.
You Can Make a Difference Today
Here's what I know for sure: your kindness matters more than you think. It might seem a small gesture to you, but it’ll be a huge one for the other.
In a world where everyone seems arogant, stressed and in a hurry, choosing to be kind is like being a superhero. You might not wear a cape, but every time you try to understand someone instead of judging them, every time you help instead of walking by, you're making the world a little bit better.
And the best part? Kindness is contagious. When you're kind to someone, they're more likely to be kind to someone else. Before you know it, you've started a kindness chain reaction.
So I ask you, look around. Who needs a friend? Who seems down? Who could use some help? You have the power to change someone's day today, just by taking a minute out of your day to care.
That's pretty amazing, if you ask me.
