Kindness is Contagious

The phrase "Kindness is Contagious" has become more of a reality than a cliche over the years in my role as a school administrator. I meet with numerous people each day, and some are not always pleasant but no matter how the person enters the room, especially a parent, it is important to be kind. Your demeanor can soften the other person's demeanor and this is what it means by kindness is contagious. Just a friendly smile and the quick question of how's your morning going, can change the entire trajectory of someone's day or that meeting you're about to have. Being kind can also assist with creating a Culture of Influence as I discuss in my book. Kindness is the ultimate relationship builder because when others receive kindness they are more apt to reciprocate that same behavior. During this month in which we celebrate Thanksgiving, it is a good time to find ways to be kind. The following is a list of ideas for sharing kindness, which can help create your Culture of Influence as well:

1. Send a note of gratitude to a former co-worker, student, or teacher

2. Pay it forward during your next fast-food drive through run

3. Bring your co-worker breakfast

4. Leave a box of goodies in the mailbox for your postal carrier

5. Let someone go in front of you in the grocery line

6. Send a positive text message to five random people

7. Leave a positive note on the mirror of a public restroom

8. Share a Coke and a smile

9. Return your neighbors trash barrel from the street

10. Let a business or an employee of a business know how well they are doing

I am sure there are endless other ideas of kindness. Feel free to share your ideas for acts of kindness and let's go make it contagious.