Business: Why Kindness and Clear Speaking Matter

This weekend I visited my best friend for Easter. It’s one of the last times I’ll see them for a while since we’re moving to New York. While there, I asked my friend’s nine-year-old daughter a question that brought home to me why kindness matters.

Me: Sarah, do you want to come to New York and visit us?Her: Well, I want to come to *New York*. (said with snarky eye roll) 

When I said her words hurt my feelings when she implied she wanted to come to New York but not to visit us she said, “I didn’t say that.” But she did. And that matters because once they’re out there, you can’t take your words back. It sounds basic. But it’s amazing how often adults ignore the rule of being kind with our words.

We must be clear and kind in our interactions. We must do it as children, and we must do it as adults in the business world. For Sarah, it might mean she won’t be invited to New York (something she wants). In business, it might mean lost business and lower revenues. If they don’t want to work with us because it’s not a good fit, that’s one thing. If it’s because they think we’re unkind, we can fix that. The sooner we do the sooner we’ll improve all our interactions.

How important do you thin kindness is in your profession? Comment below.