Why I Believe in Respect and Kindness

Back in 2013, I wrote an article that included this paragraph:

One of my most treasured and longstanding friends is a conservative Texas CEO; I am a somewhat liberal creative type born in Massachusetts. I'm pretty sure we have never voted for the same candidate. But one reason I treasure his friendship is because he works very hard to try and understand how I think, and I do the same about him. Each of us recognizes that we are limited by our beliefs, attitudes and - most importantly - restricted access to information.

You can guess why I went back and re-read that passage today.

It's been a hard time to be positive.... so much of our mainstream discourse has slid down into the gutter. When operating through the "media", people just can't seem to connect with people who think differently than they do.

But politics is not the highest or most important metric of how we think.

Do you believe in being kind? Do you believe in treating others with respect?

I do.

If I only got to ask a few questions about a person, I'd ask about qualities like their ability to help others, be empathetic, and hang in there even when times get tough.

These are the qualities that matter and people who operate this way will always find ways to connect with each other.

In order to be positive about the future, I have to believe that kindness, respect, compassion, and tenacity will prevail. This does not mean that I will always get my way. It simply implies that I will be proud of myself and my community for the ways that we interact with each other and treat other people.

I don't treasure friends simply because they always think like I do.

I treasure friends who can be kind and decent to people who think very differently than they do.

Here's why kindness especially matters in times like these.

Human beings are prone to errors. We all make mistakes. Our ability to predict the future is feeble. Just because you believe something is true... does not mean it is true.

No matter how fervently you believe that YOU are right, the odds are pretty good that you are wrong.

But there are certain core values that will never steer you wrong, and I've mentioned them here.

Today, try being a tad kinder and don't worry so much about being "right".

Bruce Kasanoff writes and edits content for a wide range of entrepreneurs and executives.