You Never Know who will be holding all of the cards
In a world that seems to be getting crazier and crazier, kindness seems to be harder to find. People understand how fast the world is moving around them, and they will do anything to avoid falling behind. Unfortunately, doing anything includes treating people poorly. What most people don’t realize, is that by treating people poorly to give yourself an “advantage” in the short-term, you’re potentially jeopardizing your long-term future. Not only is treating someone with love and kindness always the right thing to do, it will also increase your chances at success. Your future is always somewhat dependent on other people, so treating others with kindness will help get you to where you want to go.
Let’s picture the following scenarios. You’re looking to close a business deal with a huge potential client. Little did you know the CEO of the potential client is a former co-worker of yours. While working with this former co-worker, you were disrespectful, rude, and constantly put this person down. When it comes time to close this deal, who do you think this CEO will pick; The former co-worker who was a jerk, or another organization who has treated him with nothing but respect? Treating this co-worker with kindness and love would have not only created a better working environment and driven better results, it would have facilitated your long-term growth.
In high school, you bullied the “nerd” in your science class. He didn’t have a lot of friends, and instead of being one of his few, you decided to join the pack and make fun of him. A decade later, this “nerd” is a CEO of a multi-million dollar organization in the field you work in. You’re in desperate need of a job, and you apply to work at his company. Do you think he is likely to hire the person who bullied him and caused him so much sadness growing up?
Treating people with respect is the right thing to do, and it will get you much farther than the alternative. You never know whose help you’re going to need. You never know who may become your boss, co-worker, client, or sponsor. But we do know that treating people with respect has no true consequences. Treat people that way because it is the right thing to do. And when you do that, the universe will help you get where you want to go.