Posted in July 22, 2025

By Donna Paige Riley, Master-Level Trainer, Certified Maxwell Coach, Speaker, and Teacher
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Many times, in the workplace or personal life, kindness is misunderstood.
Some assume that a calm demeanor means you lack conviction. That being accommodating means you lack boundaries. That showing grace means you won’t speak up for yourself. But the truth is — it takes far more strength to be kind than it does to be cruel.
Kindness is not the absence of power — it's the choice to use that power thoughtfully. It’s the strength to stay composed under pressure, to choose integrity over ego, and to uplift others even when you’re being overlooked or underestimated.
Being kind doesn’t mean you're naive, unaware, or weak. It means you are intentional. It means you understand the power of respect, the value of people, and the lasting impact of leading with emotional intelligence.
So, the next time someone mistakes your kindness for weakness — let your quiet confidence speak for itself.

Kindness is strength, refined.