The Power of Kindness
Is there power in being kind?
Kindness and compassion are both positive qualities that involve caring for others, but they differ in their focus and scope.
Choosing to show kindness can result in a multitude of valuable outcomes. One major advantage is the positive impact it can have on our colleagues. Research conducted by Gallup consistently shows that employee burnout and absenteeism can be reduced, and employee well-being can be improved when kindness is practiced in the workplace. Furthermore, studies spanning decades indicate that receiving compliments, words of recognition, and praise can have a range of benefits, such as increasing an individual’s sense of fulfillment, boosting their self-esteem, and triggering positive emotions. This is because receiving praise aligns with our natural tendency to have a positive perception of ourselves, which in turn confirms our self-worth. These positive consequences of showing kindness are both logical and supported by research.
Kindness is the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate towards others. It involves showing warmth, affection, and sympathy towards others, often through small acts of generosity or thoughtfulness. Kindness can be expressed in many ways, such as offering a smile, helping someone with a task, or simply being a good listener.
Compassion, on the other hand, is a deeper and more profound emotion that involves feeling empathy and concern for others who are suffering or in need. It involves recognizing another person’s pain or distress and being moved to help alleviate it. Compassion is often characterized by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering of others and to promote their well-being.
In summary, kindness is more focused on positive actions and interactions with others, while compassion involves a deeper emotional response to others’ suffering and a desire to help alleviate it.
At Warshauer Woodward Atkins, we believe that kindness and compassion are essential qualities in serving our clients who have experienced birth injuries. Kindness is about treating our clients with the utmost respect, empathy, and consideration, while compassion is about recognizing their pain and suffering and being moved to help alleviate it. We are committed to providing both kindness and compassion to every client we serve, ensuring they receive the legal representation and support they deserve during this difficult time.
Read this recent Harvard Business Review article to learn more about the power of kindness.