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Time to get your journal out. Take some time today to reflect on the response you received from your intentional act of service yesterday.

How did your action affect your relationship with that person?

How did your self-less action strengthen your family or team?

When you’ve given that some time, reflect on the actions you have taken this month to add value to others, to encourage them in their potential, and to put your team’s agenda in front of your own. What new synergy has been created on your team as a result of your leadership in relationships?

Speaking from personal experience, I can attest to the fact that when I am intentional about doing things for others — when I focus on touching their heart before I ask for a hand — I reap the benefits in many ways. I form deeper, stronger relationships with others, which is far more satisfying – for me, anyway – than shallow interactions. I learn from them. I am better able to to help others because I come to understand who they are and what they need. And I have to say, I love doing the acts of kindness.

Sometimes it’s a stretch trying to tailor an act to someone specific — to do something for them that they will actually appreciate, rather than giving them something I think they should have. For example, last night, I brought home a bag of Jelly Belly’s for my husband — I know he loves them! Quick, simple, results in a smile.

What has your experience been?

Welcome to “Intentional Acts of Kindness” Day!

Today, think about how you can contribute to and invest in relationships. Perform one small, intentional, act of service for a co-worker, family member, or friend. And by “intentional” I mean think about it ahead of time, plan it out, consider the potential impact before you take action.

Here are a few suggestions:

  • Buy them a coffee or lunch
  • Give your seat to someone if you happen to take a bus or train
  • Write a Thank You note to someone (make it personal and specific)
  • Do another family member’s chores for the day
  • Arrange an introduction for someone you know who is looking for a job
  • Give one of your most valuable offerings — sit down and truly just listen to someone who needs a sounding board
  • Give someone a sincere, specific compliment

I’m sure you can come up with lots of other great ideas, more appropriate for the person you have in mind…but these should get your thoughts started!

Who will you invest in today?

What small act of service will you perform?

If this isn’t something you do often, I suspect you will be surprised by how good it feels to simply give and have no expectation for receiving anything in return. It does wonders for relationships when people understand you are just there, doing something kind, because it’s the right thing to do and there is no other agenda behind your actions.

Please, please…share your stories in the comments box below.

Let’s focus on ourselves today. Take some time today to answer these questions:

Describe a time when you heard the ideas of others and valued them.

Describe a situation in which you were willing to sacrifice your self-interest for the good of the group.

Describe what is going on in the lives of your colleagues.

How are you helping develop and grow those who work with you?

Are your employees coming to you and letting you know what is affecting them so you can help?

Each of these questions describes humility-based leadership. Based on your answers, how do you rate as a humble leader?

Remember: You will get out of these exercises what you put in.