I know – kindness messaging is prevalent. You see it on t-shirts, mugs, bumper stickers and the like. But you know what? It’s for a good reason.

In the world of small business, it can be easy to get caught up in day-to-day operations. With so much to do and so little time, it’s not uncommon for kindness to take a backseat in our interactions with colleagues, customers, and partners. However, regularly practicing kindness is essential to building strong relationships and creating a positive work environment.

This is why kind communication is one of our immutable laws, or as you may call them, core values. Here’s the approach that we endeavor to maintain:

• Be a champion, cheerleader, and proponent for others. 
• Small gestures have a big impact.
• Encourage each other’s strengths and have grace with our mistakes.
• Be kind and thoughtful when speaking to colleagues and customers.
• Talk about others as if they are in the room.

Let’s explore why kindness matters in small businesses, how it sometimes gets lost, and the steps we can take to keep kindness at the forefront of our everyday business interactions.

Why We Need to Practice Kindness in Small Businesses

Creates a Positive Work Environment

• Kindness has a contagious effect. When leaders and team members practice kindness in their everyday interactions, it sets the tone for the entire work environment. When people feel valued, appreciated, and supported, they are more likely to be productive, engaged, and happy at work.

Builds Strong Relationships

• Small businesses rely on strong relationships with customers, partners, and vendors to succeed. Practicing kindness is an effective way to build and maintain those relationships. When people feel heard, respected, and understood, they are more likely to continue doing business with you and recommend your services to others.

Encourages Collaboration

• Kindness fosters an environment of collaboration rather than competition. When people feel safe and supported, they are more likely to share ideas, collaborate on projects, and work together to achieve common goals.

How Kindness Sometimes Gets Lost in Small Businesses

In the fast-paced world of small business, it’s easy for kindness to get lost in the shuffle. Here are a few reasons why:

Time Constraints

• When there’s so much to do and so little time, it can be easy to prioritize tasks over people. This can lead to rushed conversations, short emails, and abrupt interactions that don’t leave much room for kindness.

Stress and Pressure

• Running a small business can be stressful and overwhelming, and this stress can sometimes manifest as impatience, frustration, or negativity in our interactions with others.

Focus on the Bottom Line

• Small businesses need to be profitable to survive, and this focus on the bottom line can sometimes overshadow the importance of kindness in our interactions with customers, partners, and colleagues.

Steps We Can Take to Keep Kindness in the Forefront of Our Everyday Business Interactions

Practice Active Listening

• Active listening involves paying attention to the person speaking, showing empathy, and responding thoughtfully. This can help us build stronger relationships with customers, colleagues, and partners, and ensure that everyone feels heard and understood.

Show Gratitude

• Taking the time to show gratitude can go a long way in building positive relationships. This can be as simple as saying thank you, sending a handwritten note, or offering a small token of appreciation.

Foster a Culture of Kindness

• As a leader, it’s important to model kindness in your interactions with others and encourage your team to do the same. This can involve setting clear expectations, providing training on effective communication, and recognizing and rewarding acts of kindness.

Take Breaks and Practice Self-Care

• Small business owners and employees often wear many hats and work long hours. Taking breaks and practicing self-care can help reduce stress, increase productivity, and ensure that we have the energy and patience to be kind in our interactions with others.

Kindness may seem like a small thing, but it can have a big impact on the success of small businesses. By taking the time to prioritize kindness in our everyday interactions, we can build strong relationships, create a positive work environment, and foster a culture of collaboration and support. Remember, kindness is more than good manners. By communicating kindly you develop trusting relationships – and that makes the opportunities endless!

Wish you health, wealth, and yes, kindness.

-Mike