When someone makes an off-putting remark to us, what should our immediate reaction be? To promptly assume this individual was deliberately being cruel and respond in turn? Or should we instead prioritize kindness and curiosity as we engage with them?
In a world where it sometimes feels like tempers are heating up with the temperature, a world that makes us wonder if people are truly becoming meaner, I want us to today explore three key strategies for embracing kindness in the workplace. So take a deep breath, find a cozy chair, and let’s read on together!
1. Encourage Curiosity
I’ll be the first to acknowledge that sometimes, my immediate reaction to a perceived slight is to bite back at a person and call them out for their rude behavior. But what if, instead of calling people out, I chose to call them in? Calling others in means encouraging curiosity—turning moments of tension into moments of clarity and learning. Consider asking the following questions:
I’m curious. Can you explain what you meant by [XYZ]?
Thank you for sharing your perspective on this topic! I want to return to [XYZ] because…
I understand where you’re coming from, but I wonder if someone else might see [XYZ] differently. For example…
When we don’t assume others are intentionally trying to hurt us, we will find that inviting kindness into the conversation through curious questions becomes our instinctive response. If we need to be the change we want to see in the world, then we must bring into the workplace the kindness we want to see!
2. Practice Tough Conversations
This advice sounds deceptively simple, doesn’t it? Picture this: a room full of friends and colleagues, sitting on a preferred chair (maybe a bean bag calls your name!), each holding a toasty mug of… hot chocolate? Coffee? Whatever one’s preferred workplace drink is! In this group, everyone comes prepared with challenging topics they’d like to practice having conversations about—perhaps even practicing the curious questions above.
Through levity, laughter, and inevitably the occasional slip-up, working through difficult conversations in a safe space is a near surefire way to guarantee that when hard topics hit us in the moment, we’ll know how to navigate them with kindness.
3. The Compliment Coin
I have a beautiful green compliment box in which I store kind cards from individuals I’ve worked with or presented for over the years. (I also have an online folder where I store digital compliments!) In other words: one side of the compliment coin is to have dedicated spaces to cultivate compliments, keeping track of the many moments people have extended kindness to us in the past. Whenever I doubt myself, I can turn back to those kind words and remind myself that I am good enough!, ensuring that future moments of unkindness don’t hurt quite so fiercely.
Similarly, the flip side of the compliment coin is to contribute compliments to others—providing kindness to friends, coworkers, strangers as we have received kindness ourselves! When we make an intentional effort to recognize the good in others, not only do we start to see the world as a brighter place, but we also find it easier to see the good in ourselves, too.
Straightforward, right? I will leave us with a simple compliment challenge: today, make an effort to share a kind word to someone else. (Bonus points if it’s a physical item they can hold on to!)
Together, let’s go forth and—in the face of cruelty—choose kindness and curiosity!
Dima Ghawi is a global leadership catalyst, igniting bold transformation in individuals, teams, and organizations. With a powerful blend of storytelling, strategy, and real-world leadership insight, Dima empowers professionals to shatter internal barriers, unleash untapped potential, and drive lasting impact. Through keynote speeches, leadership training programs, and executive coaching, she has guided thousands across six continents to embrace change, rise with resilience, and lead with courage.
If you're ready to break through the barriers that limit your growth and create a new legacy of leadership, connect with Dima at DimaGhawi.com and explore the journey of transformation at BreakingVases.com.
