By: Dr. Tammy Donaway, Director of A.B.L.E.
In today’s fast-paced world that can sometimes feel messy and overwhelming, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily tasks. But amidst the chaos, the power of kindness shines through. Kindness isn’t simply a soft skill or merely being nice; it’s a conscious decision to act in a way that benefits others. When employed it can be a catalyst for empathy and enhance emotional intelligence (EI), defined as the ability to understand and manage one’s own emotions and those of others. EI is a key trait of successful managers. Kindness is a practical application of emotional intelligence. When managers lead with kindness, they create a positive work environment that fosters trust, collaboration, and high morale.
As aspiring professionals, management students participating in their recent summer internship were encouraged to not only focus on gaining valuable skills and experiences but to also cultivate a mindset of empathy and kindness. They were tasked with performing five random acts of kindness-whether it’s holding the door open for someone, paying for a stranger’s coffee, or simply offering a genuine compliment, every act counted. Afterwards, they reflected on how it impacted them personally and professionally in their internship; and then shared with classmates their reflections on how practicing kindness aligns with their aspirations to become a manager or leader in the future.
Their experiences highlight how seemingly small acts can create a positive ripple effect:
Connor E.
“Reflecting on these acts of kindness, I noticed a significant improvement throughout my day and after completing one act of kindness more of them steamed of each other because how good it feels to make people happy. The workplace atmosphere became more positive, and I got more work down because of how good and committed I felt after. These actions also helped to create a more collaborative and supportive environment within our team.”
Jenna S.
“During my internship we have planned a series of community service events for the interns and myself to complete. One of these events included going to the Loch Raven Reservoir and cleaning up trash along the water and trails. This showed our commitment to the community and environment, and emphasized how I care for the environment that surrounds me and how that can affect others as well. Participating in this event had given me a sense of accomplishment because I was contributing to the cleanliness of a public space.”
Walter R.
“When it comes to my third act of kindness, I feel like this one was my best one. I say this because as I was standing in line one time, an older gentleman came and joined the line and gave those who could hear him a brief rundown of how he moved back to the area. This led to him and I having a few conversations throughout our time in that line and it just felt good for my personal development as a human in general. I felt that being he was initially from the area it would fun to trade and listen to his experience from when he went to Salisbury. All in all, this one was probably the most impactful one on me being that it was a completely random stranger and I felt like both of us gained from it.”
Kayla K.
“Practicing kindness has absolutely influenced my internship experience. After continually receiving kindness at my internship, it always makes my day better. So, why wouldn’t I try to do the same? When someone takes a little time out of their day to show me kindness, it is uplifting and also serves as a reminder; that I should try to do the same for someone else (regardless of the type of day I’m having). A personal reflection of mine from my internship experience thus far, is this: When someone is kind to me, my mood gets better. When my mood is better, I am inclined to be productive. Through productivity, I communicate with others in my team, and so on, so forth. Therefore, I believe kindness contributes to my success as an intern and future professional, by setting the tone for a positive experience, in anything I approach.”
Chontelle F.
“You never know what a person, colleague, friend, or stranger is truly going through, but showing a sense of kindness can make all the difference in the world to that person. The littlest thing such as asking if someone needs help or opening the door for someone, can make a huge impact on someone’s life.”
Gabriella D.
“Pay it forward at Starbucks: this is something that has been around for a while and my parents tend to do it often. I do it now and then, so one morning I was at Starbucks and it was a very early morning. I went to the second window and told the barista that I wanted to pay for my order and the people behind me. Fast forward, I am leaving the line and the person that I paid for said I made their day. I went back to that same Starbucks later in the week and the same barista said ‘Pay it forward’; went on for a couple of hours that morning.”
Julia B.
“Acts of kindness bettered my relationship with my supervisor because she can now see what kind of person I am outside of the workplace and that I’m willing to do things that I don’t “have to do.” Every act made me feel better as a person knowing that I can be kind and generous. Being a leader and being kind go hand in hand.”
Simply put: kindness matters. It is not a weakness but certainly a powerful tool that can transform the workplace and every space in between. For our students – the next generation of leaders, recognizing how kindness impacts their ability to lead and manage with compassion will undoubtedly differentiate them as professionals in the business world.