Be Kind

We are hiring like crazy at Return Path and we have an extensive interview process which means I have been involved with quite a few interviews lately.  One of the stories I always tell people who are interviewing who ask me about Return Path is about our CEO, Matt Blumberg.  

This is one of those stories that I'm sure has morphed over time in my head but the way I remember it, it was shortly after I started at Return Path, almost six years ago.  I attended an internal time management training that Matt led.  I could write a whole separate blog post about how that training has helped to make me organized and anal retentive about my inbox but that is for another day.  

In addition to maintaining a clear focus on work and immediate actions that need to be taken in your work life, Matt discussed using the same system for personal goals and aspirations.  I'm sure he uses a different system now, but at the time it was an excel spreadsheet where all of his tasks were listed in different worksheets and reviewed regularly based on type.  He quickly scrolled through his different worksheets and in his personal spreadsheet at the top of the spreadsheet, in bold, said "BE KIND".

I think about this often.  First, I'm proud that I work for a company who is led by someone who values the importance of being kind in everything he does.  There are not many people like that and certainly few companies that focus on kindness.  Secondly, I use it for myself as a daily reminder that the speed of life, busy schedules, appointments, work load, etc. is no excuse to forget simple acts of kindness.  

There's the old saying -  Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. It takes money to make money or if you want to have a friend, be a friend. If you want to be valued, value others more and if you want to be treated with kindness you must be kind to others.  There is a spiritual principal of the Universe that says to give what you would like to receive. That's why I love the company I work for and I do my best to focus on kindness - it isn't always easy but with a little kind and gracious living, I can truly enjoy every day more.