June 12, 2023

Kindness goes a long way in relationships. Kind people extend grace and respect. They lead with humility, celebrating and valuing the contributions of others. They are encouraging and caring.

Mother Theresa once said, “Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be a living expression of God’s kindness: kindness on your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting.”

Imagine the kind of impact we could make if we led that way.

Consider two expressions of leading with kindness:

• Lead with kindness by what you withhold. Rather than condemning and criticizing, kindness pulls back the judgment and leans forward with grace. This isn’t easy, especially when we’ve been hurt, but we take the high road when we withhold judgment.

• Lead with kindness by what you extend. Model and extend generosity. Withhold judgment and extend compassion. Through acts of compassion, we can help those we lead in many ways.

Intentionally Own It Reflection: What brings you toward withholding judgment/criticism and extending the attitude of kindness instead?

-Adapted by Making it Count