It took a long time to realise that merely agreeable relationships don’t offer me much value. Those with room for a give and take of feedback are the ones the matter.

It’s nice to be nice, but does that alone change much for the better?

Being kind isn’t merely pleasantries – it’s a compassionate way of encouraging growth. It’s not kind to offer a platitude and let someone struggle. It’s not kind to politely gloss over deficiencies that need addressing.

It is kind to illustrate a problem, and what that might mean. To support agency and develop the capability in a person with scope to grow. To outline alternatives for a person who doesn’t seem able to meet the challenges they face.

Better than agreeable, is to be meaningful.

Kindly, keep going.