You can’t be too kind when kindness includes toughness.
Kindness without truthfulness means others run your life. Truthfulness without kindness makes you a jerk-hole.
Forget Balance
Don’t balance tough and tender. 50% truth is a lie. 50% kindness is manipulation.
Don’t show up being gentle one minute and a sledgehammer the next.
Kindness makes you miserable when you can’t confront difficult situations. Stress goes up. Relationships are fake. Pleasing sucks the life out of you.
Truthfulness without kindness pushes people away. Expectations are billy clubs. Anger permeates interactions.
Kindness and truth don’t compete; they’re glorious together.
Kindness
- Accepts people where they are.
- Provides time for growth.
- Listens with curiosity.
- Practices vulnerability.
- Seeks to advantage others.
Kindness gives life to hope.
Truthfulness
- Speaks honestly even when it’s uncomfortable.
- Expects growth.
- Maintains high standards.
- Expects people to keep commitments.
- Looks inward before speaking outward.
Truthfulness energizes progress.
You earn credibility when you know how to be tender and tough.
How to be Tough When You Prefer Being Kind
Great Leaders Use Tough Love to Improve Performance – HBR
Where do you lean?
How can you bring kindness and truthfulness together?
