“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”

This past weekend Patti and I attended the Memorial Service of Bill Mahoney.  Bill was the first sales and marketing leader for Bridgewater Capital.  He died earlier this year of pancreatic cancer at the age of 55.  Among his many accomplishments and achievements in life, what stood out for everyone at the event, was not “what” he had done in his professional and personal life, but “how” he went about conducting his life and business. After all was said about him and the love and accolades expressed, it all came down to two words that Bill lived by and was the memorial’s focus; “Be Kind”.  Kindness is a great word that we don’t use enough of in business.  Sometimes we pass over those who are too kind, as in, “He’s a kind person, but maybe not tough enough”.  The antonyms of kind are: cutting, edged, stinging, harsh, rough, hurtful, unkindly, and unsympathetic.  There is nothing in these that are positive traits to successful people.  Kindness is a trait we can adopt and establish as a part of our corporate cultures, if we so choose.  Bill Mahoney was not short on kindness and beyond being remembered, he will be long admired for keeping this front and center in his attitude and actions.

As followers of Jesus we know that kindness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit.  Today, the question is as simple as this; “Are we showing kindness to others in our work?”.  What ways can we do so?  In all ways. In every conversation, in every negotiation, in every interaction, we can, if we choose, demonstrate the fruit of Kindness.

Reference: Galatians 5:22 (New Living Translation)