Is Kindness the new currency for Business?

A fall in the Economy but a rise in Kindness

Many of us are witnessing an economic avalanche, a sudden and profound shock to business that no-one expected. Yet there has been a surge in people’s displays of kindness during this period of lockdown. I’ve noticed how kindness has welled up from within so many across society during these weeks of incredible change and challenge. People want to express their thanks and appreciation to key workers, offer help to their neighbours and reach out to friends and family in new ways. I think this has been a wonderful and perhaps somewhat unexpected aspect of lockdown, but why has kindness emerged so front and centre across society, will it last, is it of value; what does it mean for business?  

What is kindness? 

I guess this can be shown in many different ways. The dictionary defines Kindness as 'the quality of being generous, helpful, and caring about other people, or an act showing this quality' Yet we live in a society that has taught us over many years to look after number 1, get what you can for yourself and that its survival of the fittest. As many of our lives and businesses have been put on pause during this pandemic, it appears to have given us time to reflect and re-orientate our thinking a bit. I’ve never seen so many people offer to volunteer, donate to good causes, applaud others and show compassion on this scale. It looks like kindness is unlocking a fresh wave of generosity, helpfulness and care in society. In business we have seen firms donate to foodbanks, provide support to the vulnerable and re-purpose to help those in desperate need. A new international best-selling book has emerged with Kindness as its central theme, by artist Charlie Mackesy. It captures the current mood and along with these other facets combines to shed light, affirm, value and perhaps re-instil the importance of being kind to one another.

But isn’t Kindness really just showing weakness in the corporate world?

There has been a growing shift and desire in many corporations to recognise and help support their local communities; give something back. Maybe at times it is a quiet gesture, but I sense that in our new emerging economy, Kindness and the way we treat one another will hold more value and currency than ever before. It is my hope and belief that what may once have been seen as a weakness, or not good business sense, commercially unviable/unpopular with shareholders; but rather now an organisations ability to demonstrate heart felt generosity, help and care for their staff, supply chain and local communities will become a new benchmark of the firms we want to do business with, work for, invest in and transact with.

Kindness is 'the quality of being generous, helpful, and caring about other people, or an act showing this quality'

A new economy of Kindness

This crisis has reminded many that we are not really in control of things like we maybe think we are. Yes, we can set out targets and plans, but as we’re seeing today, our environments can quickly and dramatically change. Yet one thing I’ve realised is that we can choose how we respond to this. We can choose to show care, kindness and thoughtfulness, rather than being engulfed with fear, worry and anxiety. Maybe there’s never been a more important time for kindness to be woven back into the fabric of our lives, society and business. Perhaps this will aid us in adapting, adjusting and recovering to life in new environments.

We don’t often place the words ‘kindness’ and ‘business’ in the same sentence, but it’s my prayer at this time and in the new journey we are all on that hope will be our companion, encouragement will be our language of choice and kindness will be the currency we value most in business.

Imagine what commerce would look like if we re-affirmed these 4 principals in a new economy of kindness:-

Keep safe and well friends.

With best wishes and warmest regards,

Neil