Kindness

I read a great story by one of my favorite writer/blogger friends - Bekah - and it reminded me of a story I've wanted to relate for some time.

I have a friend who was a publicist for Eagles singer-songwriter Don Henley, and who helped organize Henley's "Walden Woods" environmental project and yearly "rally."

Super-model Christi Brinkley was one of the celebrity guests one year and it was my friend's job to assign people to escort the celebrities through the festivities. My friend assigned a very bright, but very unattractive girl to assist Brinkley. As soon as my friend had done this, she began fretting that the girl might be uncomfortable accompanying, and being seen next to, such a beautiful woman.

After the rally my friend caught up with the girl and asked her how it went. The girl excitedly told my friend that the first thing Christi Brinkley did was complement her on her earrings and say how good they looked on her. She said Brinkley was among the nicest people she'd ever met and really enjoyed her time with her.


I love telling this story because... Instead of laughing up her sleeve at this girl... Instead of seeing an inferior human specimen... Brinkley saw a sensitive girl and quickly searched for something positive and encouraging to say.


As we get older... More successful... Less insecure...More comfortable in our shoes... I think we tend to be less fixated on our own reflection and more tuned to the needs and insecurities of others.

At work I try to be respectful of everyone. But I confess that I delight in being no respecter of persons. And, in a small hospital, this attitude creates a few minor waves. Doctors have amazingly large egos. Administration and managerial personnel seek constant stroking. Even nurses with associates degrees have illusions of goddesshood. And all of them rural enough to be moderately insecure...

Heaven.

I've found that I can say almost anything if I smile and feign innocense. And the props beneath these people are so fragile. And, having your own drummer affords more than simple entertainment value. People still mess with you... But they are more careful and cautious when they mess with you.

But back to topic.

I try to know the names of my colleagues at work. But I make a much bigger effort to know the name of every person in housekeeping, in the laundry, and in food services... And I call them by name. I've observed over the years that when people serve you and clean up after you, it is so easy to treat them as less - and generally - marginalize them. When I see that happening, it ticks me off.

Anyway, I challenge you to find in your workplace the shy... The young and unattractive... The marginalized soul stuck in the menial job... And give them your attention.