Touched by Kindness — The Power of Compassionate Communication

Happy World Kindness Day!!

Some moments test our compassion more than others. The true measure of kindness isn’t found in how we treat the easy or the admirable—it’s how we respond to the uncomfortable, the misunderstood, or the inconvenient.

Years ago, one of my staff members had an itching problem. It was persistent, noticeable, and awkward. Over time, I began to hear quiet whispers among the team—sarcasm, eye rolls, even a few mocking remarks from patients and families. The situation had crossed the line from distraction to humiliation.

The man in question was kind, hardworking, and well-liked, but people started avoiding him. His discomfort became a punchline. And as often happens in workplaces, no one wanted to address it directly. When I brought it to my boss, she admitted she didn’t want to handle it—it felt too awkward, too easy to be misinterpreted.

But ignoring discomfort doesn’t protect culture; it corrodes it.

So I did what leadership sometimes requires: I addressed the uncomfortable thing kindly. I pulled him aside, privately and gently, and explained that people were noticing and concerned. His reaction stunned me. He nearly broke down.

He explained that he had a legitimate medical condition and was absolutely miserable. He wasn’t trying to be inappropriate; he was trying to function through pain and itching that medication had only just begun to treat. He was embarrassed, exhausted, and afraid to call out sick because he didn’t want to leave his team short-staffed.

He thanked me—profusely—for handling it with grace instead of gossip. We arranged for him to step away more often to manage symptoms, and within weeks, the problem began to resolve. From that day on, his loyalty was fierce. He never forgot that small act of kindness.

I never mentioned it again, but I’ll never forget what it taught me: kindness in tone heals more deeply than policy ever could.

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The Touch of Communication

“Touch someone.”

It’s more than a phrase—it’s the essence of human connection. Communication is not just words on a screen or tone in a meeting. It’s tactile, real, felt. It’s the handwritten note in a coworker’s mailbox. The playful encouragement scribbled on a sticky note. The warm hand on a shoulder that says, You matter.

Kindness slows us down long enough to notice.

To hear someone’s smile.

To sense when a mood has shifted before words are spoken.

In a culture obsessed with speed, productivity, and appearances, kindness is the pause that restores humanity. It reminds us that communication isn’t only about information—it’s about connection.

Leaders set the tone for that kind of culture. The way we correct, the way we question, the way we respond when someone’s awkward or anxious—all of it shapes whether people feel safe or ashamed.

Kindness isn’t softness; it’s strength with gentleness. It’s the art of protecting dignity while pursuing truth. When we lead with that kind of tone, we create cultures of safety, not silence.

And that’s where healing begins.

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Call to Action

Every conversation leaves a fingerprint on your culture. Choose to make yours healing.

If your team could use coaching or training in communication that restores rather than reacts, bring Transformationship Leadership Group to your next meeting or retreat.

We help teams rediscover the human side of leadership—one kind, courageous conversation at a time.

🎧 Listen to the podcast: 🎧 Listen to the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3gKUUG35SbO1eUOUVr4WAh?si=xLdl6pzSTZSwIQAmbB6JqA