Embrace Kindness and Caring – Courageous Communicator Quest Challenge 8

Congratulations! You’ve made it to the halfway point and completed the first two parts in the Courageous Communicator Quest journey. You’ve made a lot of headway and that’s something to be proud of; nonetheless we’ve still got plenty to do. 

From the last Challenge, do you feel that your planned communications were more thoughtful and purposeful? Did it help you achieve more of the outcomes you want to see? 

This third leg of the Courageous Communicator Quest will guide you on how to Develop Empathy over the next few challenges. It’s not uncommon to begin the process thinking you can go it alone. As long as you have the discipline, the drive, and the personal reserves, you’ll be able to find everything you need to make it to your destination within yourself. Some call it resourcefulness, however as a leader, you’re not a lone operator. This isn’t about survival of the fittest. This is about leading your entire team to success, to nurturing the best in everyone, to understand the talents of each and every member of your team, and to reach the business outcomes you seek by harnessing everyone’s collected efforts. 

The first Challenge in part three of the Quest is an easy one. 

Challenge 8: Embrace Kindness and Caring 

The Myth 

Great leaders know kindness and caring toward others is a quick way to show weakness. 

The Truth 

Employees consistently work better and harder for leaders who make them feel better about themselves, who display an honest appreciation for others and their lives, and who value what they do for the organization. These leaders are respectfully authentic, and genuinely care and want to get to know their employees. They are kind and express genuine concern for others. These are the leaders people want to work for because of how they make others feel.

The Courageous Communicator Challenge 

With so much going on, it’s all too easy to get lost in the work and detach yourself from the human element of the workplace. So, commit to adding a new word or phrase to your vocabulary every day this week. It sounds simple, and it is! 

Monday: Please

Tuesday: Thank you

Wednesday: I’m grateful that you…

Thursday: One of the things I value about you is…

Friday: How can I better support you in…? 

In what other ways can you embrace kindness and caring in your daily life? 

—David Grossman 

Come back next week for the 9^th Challenge where we’ll discuss Creating an Emotional Connection.

If you are just joining us in our Courageous Communicator Quest Challenge, take a moment to start from the beginning here. 

Refer back to previous challenges here:

• Challenge 1 - Know Your Authentic Self
• Challenge 2 - Become Self Aware (Walk the Talk)
• Challenge 3 - Disclose Yourself to Others
• Challenge 4 - Stay True to Yourself Under Pressure (Integrity)
• Challenge 5 – Develop an Accurate Picture of the Business
• Challenge 6 – Envision the Future
• Challenge 7 – Plan Your Communication

Written for leaders who wish to bring more of who they truly are to the workplace, this engaging and personal eBook walks through the process of getting there, regardless of where you might be on your personal journey—download today!