A “KIND” REVOLUTION!
I’ve been thinking about the folks in health care. Since the pandemic, we seem to have slammed into a lack of staffing in so many areas and the last thing I want to do is blame the emergency room nurse, the bus driver, the patient service receptionist who is doing their job as best they can in whatever circumstance is around them. Services are understaffed through no fault of their own.
These folks are needed more than ever. Even when we are in pain, scared or exhausted, we can be especially supportive and appreciative. Our behaviour or responses to those helping us can go a long way to helping us recover quicker. Our frustration is just another component in burning out overworked staff.
We can be a light in another’s life, if only in a short interaction. We all shake our heads when we see others feeling entitled and yet, sometimes we may also come across in that same way. When we say or act in a way that we notice is not the way that we want to act, we can simply say, “Cross that out, I didn’t mean to say that.” Then carry on with a more reasonable statement or even an apology.
This started me thinking. Let’s start a revolution! A revolution to be kind.
Here are some tips to remind you of how you can make a small (or big) difference in another person’s day. And by doing that, find it comes back to you!
In teaching customer service workshops, my friend, Brenda, would often have participants wanting to tell her about the bad customer service experiences they had, but Brenda would stop them. “I don’t want to hear about the bad stuff, let’s concentrate on the good examples.”
I consider this a parable for life. It can be the battle cry for our Kind Revolution.
STEP 1: Find something that you genuinely appreciate and start your conversation with that.
“I noticed your colourful blouse, those are my favourite colours. You look great in them!”
“This pain is really bothering me, just having you to listen to my story has helped me feel better.”
When said genuinely, it usually puts others in a more positive mood.
STEP 2: Find some way to show others they are special.
I learned from my friend Pat that going out of your way to say something nice to someone can make a difference to both of you. She bought little cards with positive sayings on them and handed them out.
We would be walking out of a store, and Pat would dart off to a salesclerk in another aisle and hand them a little card with a positive message on it. She always got a smile, a thank you and often a conversation.
STEP 3: If you are having difficulty arriving at an agreement or resolving an issue with someone, remind them, “We are both on the same side.”
An online inspiration of mine, who I have mentioned before in this column, Samantha Bennett of The Organized Artist Company, brought this technique up recently. Having a positive patient service experience is a goal of yours and the people who are looking after you. Ask, “How can we work this out so both of us win?”
I think committing to a Kind Revolution is just what our world needs right now!
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Laurie Mueller, M.Ed is retired and living in Victoria with her husband, Helmuth. She recently published The Ultimate Guide on What to Do When Someone You Love Dies, available on Amazon. More about Laurie can be found at www.lauriemconsulting.com or on Facebook.