I’ve been reminded of the importance of kindness in a very personal way this week. I’m grieving the loss of my dog Grandon, and the compassion my colleagues have shown me has meant so much. Their thoughtful messages, understanding, and willingness to give me some space during a difficult time have reminded me how much the small acts of kindness matter, especially when we’re struggling.
It has me thinking about the kind of business I want to build.
When I think about the people I’ve enjoyed working with most throughout my career, I don’t necessarily remember the projects or accomplishments.
I remember the people who treated others with respect. I remember the leaders who listened to their team and the colleagues who offered help when things got difficult. As a business owner, I remember the clients who appreciated the work and the people behind it.
These experiences have shaped how I grow my business and approach the work we do. This week especially, I’m reminded that the way we treat people can leave a lasting impression, long after the work itself is finished.
Lately, I’ve been laying the foundation for what’s next in my business. That process has given me an opportunity to think more intentionally about what I want the business to stand for, the culture I want to create, and how I want clients and collaborators to experience working with us.
One thing I’m certain about: kindness will be part of that culture.
Kindness is a Business Value
Today is World Kindness Day. We often talk about the importance of teaching kindness to children and practicing it in our personal lives. But kindness deserves just as much attention in the workplace.
After all, the way we treat colleagues, clients, and collaborators shapes our relationships and the work cultures we create.
The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation (link) offers a helpful guide to creating a kinder workplace.
It outlines seven practices, including modeling behavior, creating a supportive environment, building trust, communicating well, and celebrating people.
What I appreciate about these practices is how simple and practical they are. Kindness can show up in everyday interactions, from listening carefully and acknowledging someone’s contributions to respecting boundaries and giving thoughtful feedback. Or simply giving a colleague the time and space she needs when she’s grieving the loss of her soul dog.
These are choices we can make every day, regardless of our role or the size of our organization.
How I Want Kindness to Show Up In My Work
We work with organizations that care deeply about what they do. Many are trying to accomplish ambitious goals with limited resources. Their leaders and teams are balancing competing priorities and doing their best to serve the people who depend on them.
I want to build a business culture that reflects the same care and commitment I see in our clients.
That starts with setting the tone.
Every interaction is an opportunity to demonstrate our values. We want clients and collaborators to feel welcomed, respected, and appreciated. That means being approachable, listening with curiosity, and recognizing the knowledge and experience others bring to the table.
We also want people to feel comfortable sharing ideas, asking questions, and expressing different opinions. Good work happens when everyone feels heard and valued.
Building trust is just as important.
Trust grows when our actions consistently reflect our words. We want to set clear expectations, communicate openly, honor commitments, and take responsibility when something goes wrong.
We recognize that trust also requires healthy boundaries. Our relationships with clients and collaborators should be grounded in honesty, fairness, and mutual respect.
Kindness and accountability can go hand in hand. We can have difficult conversations, offer constructive feedback, and hold ourselves to high standards while treating people with compassion.
Ultimately, I want kindness to be something people experience when they work with my company.
Kindness Goes Both Ways
Healthy working relationships require mutual respect.
We want to be generous with our knowledge and supportive of our clients’ goals. We also want to build relationships where expectations are realistic and everyone’s contributions are valued
That includes recognizing that people have lives and challenges outside of work, and responding with understanding when they need it.
And it includes celebrating progress. Sometimes we’re so focused on the next deadline that we forget to appreciate what we’ve accomplished and the people who helped make it happen.
A sincere thank-you can go a long way.
The Culture We Create is the Brand We Live
As a brand strategist, I spend a lot of time helping organizations define their values and communicate what they stand for.
But values only become meaningful when people put them into practice.
The way we treat colleagues, clients, partners, and communities shapes how people experience our brands. Every interaction contributes to the reputation we’re building.
As my business evolves, I’m thinking carefully about how we can put our values into practice. We won’t always get everything right. We’ll make mistakes and face difficult situations. What matters is how we respond.
Will we listen? Will we be thoughtful with our words? Will we give people the benefit of the doubt, show appreciation, and treat others with respect?
The kindness I’ve experienced this week has reminded me how much those choices matter. As I continue building my business, I want that same care and compassion to shape every relationship we create.
Because the culture we create today shapes the reputation we build for tomorrow.
What Does Kindness Look Like in Your Workplace?
I’d love to hear about a small action or experience that made a difference to you.
Schedule a chat with me today.
