I was shopping for presents a couple years ago and I can across a soft (yes, this is critical because I won’t buy a piece of clothing unless it’s soft – ha!) shirt that said “human kind – be both.” I paused for a minute because I read it as one word, “humankind…” So what was this “be both” stuff…got it, slow it down… Human Kind – 2 words, be human, be kind. I loved it and immediately bought it as wouldn’t the world be a better place if every single person would do this just a little better…? One single shirt made me think and inspired this month’s conversation – human kind, be both.
In today's fast-paced, technology-driven world, it's easy to forget the fundamental values that make us human. As we navigate the complexities of our professional and personal lives, the importance of being both human and kind cannot be overstated. "Human Kind, Be both" serves as a powerful reminder that in our quest for success and efficiency, we should never lose sight of our humanity and our capacity for kindness.
The Importance of Being Human and Kind
Ralph G. Nichols once said, “The most basic of all human needs is the need to understand and be understood. The best way to understand people is to listen to them.” This simple yet profound truth underscores the importance of empathy and active listening in our interactions. Whether in the workplace or in our personal lives, the ability to listen and truly understand others fosters deeper connections and mutual respect.
Inspirational Stories
A Story of Transformative Listening: A manager at a tech company noticed that one of his team members, who was usually very productive, had become withdrawn and less engaged. Instead of reprimanding the employee for decreased performance, the manager decided to have a one-on-one conversation. He listened actively as the employee shared personal challenges she was facing at home. Understanding her situation, the manager offered flexible working hours, which allowed her to balance her personal life better. This act of understanding not only improved her productivity but also strengthened her loyalty to the company.
A Ripple Effect of Kindness: A small act of kindness can have a profound impact. Consider the story of a barista who noticed a regular customer seemed unusually down. One day, the barista wrote a simple note on the customer’s coffee cup: “You are amazing.” This small gesture brightened the customer’s day and inspired them to pay it forward by doing something kind for someone else. This chain of kindness continued, creating a positive ripple effect in the community.”1
There are many stories out there of how being human and kind impacts others; I would love you to share your stories with me.
In the essence of this conversation and since I don’t like to overcomplicate things, here are some ways to be human and kind:
Top 10 Ways to Be Human in the Workplace
Listen Actively: Give your full attention when someone is speaking. Avoid interrupting and show empathy.
Show Genuine Interest: Take the time to learn about your colleagues’ interests and lives outside of work.
Be Transparent: Honesty fosters trust. Share information openly and honestly.
Practice Patience: Understand that everyone has different learning curves and work styles.
Recognize Efforts: Acknowledge and appreciate the hard work and contributions of your team members.
Offer Support: Be there for your colleagues during challenging times, both professionally and personally.
Encourage Growth: Provide opportunities for professional development and personal growth.
Respect Boundaries: Understand and respect personal and professional boundaries.
Communicate Clearly: Clear and open communication prevents misunderstandings and builds stronger relationships.
Lead by Example: Demonstrate the behaviors and attitudes you expect from others.
Top 10 Ways to Be Kind Every Day
Smile: A simple smile can brighten someone’s day.
Offer a Compliment: Genuine compliments can boost someone’s confidence and mood.
Lend a Hand: Offer help when you see someone in need.
Listen: Sometimes, the best thing you can do is just listen.
Express Gratitude: Thank people for their help and kindness.
Write a Note: Leave a kind note for someone, whether it’s a coworker or a family member.
Be Patient: Show patience, especially in frustrating situations.
Share: Share your resources, whether it’s your time, skills, or possessions.
Be Thoughtful: Think about how your actions affect others and act with consideration.
Spread Positivity: Encourage and uplift those around you with positive words and actions.
Promoting Human-Centric Leadership
At the heart of effective leadership is the ability to connect with people on a human level. Our brand is dedicated to uncomplicating the process of leading humans, ensuring that companies can harness moments of change without burning out their people. By designing and implementing systems that activate employees' leadership potential, we help companies grow without experiencing growing pains.
We believe that the future of leadership is human-centric, focusing on understanding, empathy, and kindness. By prioritizing these values, we can create work environments where employees thrive and companies succeed. Remember, "Human Kind, Be both" isn't just a saying; it's a way of life that can transform our interactions and lead to a more compassionate and effective workplace.”1
So, my question to you – what’s one way you are going to be more human and kind?
BONUS - To assess where you and your organization are in your employee engagement culture journey, download my “Culture Pulse: Employee Engagement Questionnaire” here: https://www.badeauconsulting.com/culturepulseeequestionnaire
Are you ready to dig into emotional intelligence, employee engagement, and leadership? I help uncomplicate leading humans so that companies and their employees can harness the moments of change without burning out their people in the process.
We do this by designing and implementing a system that lets their employees activate their leadership potential to benefit the company overall.
In doing so, the companies can grow without dealing with growing pains.
If you are ready to get started, please reach out to chat: https://www.badeauconsulting.com/.
I look forward to providing monthly pulse points to help you stay up to date with how the workplace culture scene is evolving.
About Jaclyn T. Badeau, CPA, CGMA, MBA, EQ Certified
Jaclyn Badeau is the Founder and President of Badeau Consulting. She specializes in employee engagement initiatives that help companies inspire confidence back into their team for innovation and growth. Jaclyn’s background in cultivating high performing teams, delivering coaching and mentoring, serving as a global business risk advisor, and facilitating internal and external leadership training to a global workforce gives her the unique perspective of what employees need and what works. She is also a multi award recipient and passionate about sharing her expertise and knowledge in volunteer advisory and leadership positions roles for many associations and not-for-profits.
About Pulse Point
Pulse Point is a monthly blog to stay up to date with how the workplace culture scene is evolving.
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1 OpenAI. (2021). ChatGPT: Large language model. Retrieved from https://chat.openai.com
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