Our last entry was about little signs of support.  This week is about parenting and the power of being caring and kind.

Last week, Alice (almost 13) was having a tough time.  I talked to her a bit about it.  Later that night, I heard Alice telling my wife how I had been so helpful to her.  My heart swelled when I heard her say that.  If I’m entirely honest, I have no idea what I did.  I can’t think of any special tactic or some magic question or phrase I used.  Instead, Alice shared, “He was so caring and kind.”

What does this have to do with anything?  Yesterday, was the first day of a market research supplier partner conference.  I ran into someone I hadn’t seen in years.  We had worked together on a few things when she first joined her company, and then I hadn’t crossed paths with her too much since.  I was so excited to see her and how far she had come in her career.  Then, she looked at me and said something like, “You may not even know this, but you were like an important part of my early career.”  I was shocked.  I had no clue I had such an impact on her.  If I’m entirely honest, I have no idea what I did that could have made her feel that way.  I can’t think of any special nuggets I shared with her.  I don’t remember imparting any specific wisdom.  I can’t think of any secret market research techniques I showed her.  Instead, she went on to explain how I was caring and kind when she started out, and that made all the difference.

Think about the people who have had a positive impact on you in in your career.  If I asked you to explain what specifically they did, you might struggle.  However, I bet for all of them you would say that they cared about you and were kind.  Those two simple things are so powerful.  Those two simple things always matter.

The challenge- In a world where it is easy to be uncaring and cruel, will you have the strength to be caring and kind?

Have a jolly good day,

Andrew Embry