A-Z of Soft Skills: K is for Kindness

Kindness as a soft skill? To me, it is more special than knowledge.

Kindness is the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.

Kindness makes us think and feel another person's need and fulfill it with no expectation of return. It makes us act with goodness and compassion and tenderness to all our fellow creatures. It makes us aware of perceptions, needs and wants other than merely our own.

Kindness completes us as human beings and makes us live up to our spirits. In life, it makes us concerned individuals who care for the well-being of all things that make up our world. It keeps us happy because in being kind to others, we are actually being kind to ourselves. In being helping, we are helping ourselves.

We all have the power to change someone's day--if not his life--with a kind word or a thoughtful gesture.

A compassionate smile; a sympathetic ear; the tiniest, most fleeting act that shows another that we care; just a little consideration--that's all it takes to touch a life and make it better than it was a moment ago.

Kindness is an attitude that should become a way of life. It costs us very little, but becomes a treasure of goodwill for us over time. Much more, see how wonderful you feel about yourself when you've distributed some kindness around you!

Little, random acts of kindness accumulate into a world of goodness and positivity. I firmly believe this and tell my students and trainees to commit themselves to 5 arbitrary and indiscriminate acts of kindness every day.

Let your imagination go! You'll have so much fun thinking of small things you can do for the people around you at work, on the street, at the stores or at home. Here are some ways you can start your kindness program today:

• Buy a chocolate for the cashier at your grocery store
• Let someone cut in front of you in a long queue
• Smile at and compliment a complete stranger
• Bring a home-cooked tiffin for the co-worker who always eats street food for lunch
• Visit a retired colleague and spend 15 minutes listening to her
• Tell a parent how well behaved her child is when you're at the mall
• Lend your pen to the lady who doesn't have one at the bank
• This diwali, buy diyas and distribute them as you walk here and there
• Donate a casual leave to a co-worker who needs it more
• When someone asks you for directions, take the time to explain patiently
• Everytime you buy yourself a new shirt, give an old shirt to someone you think needs one
• If someone in the office litters, pick it up and throw it in the dust-bin

Just 5 simple acts of kindness and I guarantee that you'll be happier with yourself. You will find yourself smiling at odd moments and you'll sleep much better at night.

The author, Dr. Ranee Kaur Banerjee consults under the brand Expressions@Work to create and deliver learning and development programs in communication and soft skills.