Conversations around caregiving have spread across disciplines and all aspects of life over recent years. Talk about care and the lack thereof have entered encounters up and down the spectrum of our society. In my group work this year I’ve led discussions focused on tone as subject matter in public discourse. Tone is all about building connection, in contrast with harsh rhetoric. We’ve discussed how to promote the goal of “kindness forward” group discussions.
How we interact with others is at the heart of living in groups. When conflicts or difficulties arise, how they are managed matters a great deal to the healthy outcome for the group. Similarly, caregiving requires skilled interaction that balances personal and professional approaches to care partners. Empathy and compassion are important elements of care, yet they can wear on the caregiver, be they professionals or family members. Kindness on the other hand is a basic approach that is embedded culturally across humankind.
Strengthening connections supports positive individual and group outcomes. There is recent research reported in National Seniors Australia on kindness in caregiving, sharing the benefits of kindness in the care partners relationship. The summary focuses on the kind versus harsh interactions from the provider towards the patient. I find the effects go in both directions. Weekly, I see clients respond to kindness with kindness, and the communities I strive to build are strengthened by positively reinforcing actions embodying the spirit of kindness, consideration and generosity. In Patient Care and in society you too can contribute to interactions with kindness and receive kindness in return. Healing a fracture in a body or in a community needs mindful, consistent care. The application of kindness is an available balm to foster repair and restored function.
In the US, a Mayo Clinic initiative to increase kindness found benefits to both patients and providers. Strengthening trust and connection between colleagues and between providers and patients improves communication, cooperation and performance. On the most basic level endorphins increase; kindness feels good.
In the Harvard Business Review a report in Organizational Culture finds kindness results in “stronger relationships, collaboration, engagement and retention.” That doesn’t mean poor performance or absenteeism is overlooked, it means having hard conversations steeped in respect for the other person. When we offer guidance and help to elevate performance, employees, or patients/care partners feel safe and supported. Displays of kindness build trust.
Here are a few examples from my work and in my community:
-The auto garage where a worried older man has his tire patched at no charge and a plow driver with a tight schedule has a repair wedged into a busy day, all with patience and good humor
-The hair stylist who soothes a fretful 90-year-old woman with her weekly wash and set, knowing the power of touch
-The checkout supervisor who keys in the right code for the frazzled young mother at the self-checkout, knowing we aren’t all screen wizards
-Leading with support for the positive actions in group participation reinforces a robust tolerance for opposing views in discussion – helps people feel seen, accepted and respected
As the New Year begins, let’s make overt kindness a key element of our interactions.
©January 2026 https//clairemauro.com
Life Vest Inside – Kindness Boomerang – One Day https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=nwAYpLVyeFU&elqTrackId=642E811D6AA76F6DA06B92467266F964&elqTrack=true
Macklin, N., et al. Harvard Business Review. Organizational Culture. 2025. https://hbr.org/2025/07/why-kindness-isnt-a-nice-to-have?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=mtod_Active&deliveryName=NL_MT
Mauro, C. and Simoni, D. For Grief’s Sake: The Resilient Caregiver Caring and Coping Well. 2024. https://www.amazon.com/Griefs-Sake-ResilientCaregiver-Caring/dp/B0DPTSLG1T
Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinicplatform.org/2025/12/09/in-the-end-only-kindness-matters
National Seniors Australia. 2025. https://nationalseniors.com.au/news/latest-news/is-kindness-a-cure-for-our-sick-health-system