Do you smile first?

I work with people in conflict and there are two common themes, trust and kindness.

Both dissolve quickly.

Often, people sit with me and ponder how trust and kindness between them dissolved so quickly.

Good news is that when people take the time to sit and share, be vulnerable and honest and to have the conversations that often feel very tough to have, conflict too can also dissolve.

Being the first person to smile or to say good morning is being kind, but it is also being vulnerable and brave when you know you are walking into a room unsure if your smile will be returned or your greeting acknowledged.

Be brave, smile first, you will be surprised at how quickly your smile can be the spark that ignites warmth in the room.

Kind people are the bravest people in the room.