We are humans. First and foremost.
It took us 42 hours door-to-door to make it from DC to Hong Kong. From last minute name issues, to COVID test confusion, and having to rebook entirely new flights at the last minute, the past few days felt more like running through an obstacle course than planning a family visit.
A trip to be remembered, for sure.
But this week's post is not about the travel chronicles; though it would have been tempting to write one. Rather, it is a self reflection on human kindness (while I am hopelessly jetlagged on the other side of the world).
Random acts of kindness.
When was the last time you called a company’s customer service line just to say thank you or compliment them for doing something right? And when was the last time you called a company because you have an issue that needs to be addressed or you wanted to file a complaint?
Now imagine if you were at the other end of the line fielding agitated customers all day long. Now imagine how you would have felt if people would have been a little bit kinder.
Just a little.
“When you can be anything you want to be, choose to be kind.”
Our world has been a stressful place, to say the least. From health emergency to social crisis, and now inflation and economic crises, coupled with the impact of war and climate change, our brains are bombarded with more 'stressor-of-the-day" than we can humanly cope with.
I can relate.
But what about all those kind words that made a difference? Or those unexpected actions that helpled made things just a little more bearable?
Thinking back to all the challenges that we had to navigate through the past few days, as well as all the strangers who have helped along the way ...
The airline agents who helped us book (and rebook) our itinerary multiple times;
The stranger in the airport who stopped and asked if we needed help;
The hotel staff who offered us a welcoming respite in the midst of chaos despite us not being guests at the property, and a place to sort out all the last minute travel paperwork;
The front desk staff who helped me with the logistics of the quarantine hotel booking at 4 AM, without which, we would have been turned away and not be able to complete the trip;
The gate agent who helped us sort out the maddening logistics of COVID testing (and re-testing);
The staff members at the Hong Kong airport who were extremely patient and kind, and helped us navigate the complexities of travel.
In fact, the first thing my son remarked after we got through the arrival procedures was how incredibly nice and courteous people were at the airport.
Sometimes, we forget that kids learn by watching how adults act and treat others.
Sometimes, we forget about the needs of those around us because we are so overwhelmed by our own troubles.
Take. Without giving. Without pausing to think, what could we do? How could we be helpful?
Being kind to others without expecting anything in return is one of the greatest gifts we can all afford to give. It is an act that goes across ideology, and a trait that makes us human.
In a polarized world, it is also a collective action that can help us find common ground.
“Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.” — Princess Diana
And regardless of what we do in our professional lives, we can all play the role of kindness.
Because our world needs it.
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Previously on One Vision podcast ...
When we reflect upon who we are and where we are in our career path, who has influenced us the most in our journey, to become the person we are today?
In this episode of One Vision, we welcome the return of our co-host Stephanie Foster, as we chat with Dana Wilson, CEO and Founder of CHIP, on wealth management and the importance of empowering others to live their financially authentic lives. There is no magic bullet — nor a single set of remedies — when it comes to fostering diversity and inclusion. From family endowment, education, employment, access to finance, to representation, and social attitudes, there are many factors that influence both equality of opportunity and equality of outcomes.
But if we are intentional about creating space for others at the table, and making sure people are seen and their voices are heard, we can fight for — and effect change — together.
We belong here.
Give this episode a listen and let us know what you think. And subscribe here so you don’t miss future episodes of One Vision.
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Beyond Good is available now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, Kogan Page and anywhere books are sold. You can check out what others are saying about our book here.
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This was previously published on LinkedIn.
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