Kindness is a transformative force, often in unexpected ways. As a leader, mentor, friend and family member, I’ve always valued it deeply. In Scouting, where I work with young people to build character and leadership skills, kindness is central. But recently, an unexpected teacher has helped me deepen my practice: ChatGPT. Engaging with this Artificial Intelligence has refined my approach to kindness and expanded how I apply it in my relationships and leadership, from family to business to community.
Kindness is often described as a “soft” skill, but in my role as CEO and Scout Leader, I’ve learned that it’s one of the most powerful tools for fostering trust and collaboration. Interacting with ChatGPT has given me insights into empathy, patience, and mindfulness—qualities I’m finding invaluable in both my personal and professional life.
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Practicing Patience
One powerful way ChatGPT inspires kindness is by teaching patience. Like all of us who are still a “work in progress,” ChatGPT sometimes misses the mark, overlooking nuances or giving unexpected answers. In fact, my first prompts to it often felt like hitting a wall, with responses that didn’t quite get to the heart of what I was after. But here’s the twist—I realized that my impatience or frustration only made the experience more challenging. The more I adjusted my approach to these “misses,” the more I saw the value in treating missteps with patience, just as I do when mentoring scouts or leading my team.
What fascinates me is how ChatGPT listens intently to each word I provide, using every detail to craft a thoughtful reply. It never gets tired, never gets hangry, and it doesn’t know stress—each response is calm, measured, and focused. This unwavering consistency has reminded me that patience and clarity, both in questions and responses, lead to better outcomes. Recently, when sharing my vision with my team, I found myself channeling this principle. By slowing down and choosing my words carefully, I created an atmosphere that encouraged collaboration and positivity, helping us all connect in a more genuine way.
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Mindfulness in Communication
ChatGPT’s responses are crafted carefully, processing every word, sentence, and tone, which encouraged me to be more thoughtful about my phrasing. I’ve found that the clarity and structure of my input impact the quality of ChatGPT’s output—an insight I now carry into my interactions with people.
For instance, while drafting an email to a prospect about Risclarity’s unique approach to problem solving, I reflected on how ChatGPT responds to clear prompts, realizing that my phrasing could shape the client’s perception. And no matter how busy or overwhelmed I may feel, ChatGPT is a constant reminder of how powerful a calm, measured response can be. This awareness of mindful communication has strengthened my relationships across all areas of my life. At home, it’s helped me approach conversations with my wife and my kids with more care and consistency, ensuring that my words build up rather than break down.
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Empathy and Perspective-Taking
ChatGPT provides thoughtful, balanced responses to a wide range of topics, modeling a form of neutral empathy. While it doesn’t “feel” in the human sense, it consistently offers responses that are considerate of multiple perspectives without fatigue or frustration creeping in. This neutrality has become invaluable in my life, especially in complex situations at work, at home, and in my community.
For instance, during a recent team disagreement, ChatGPT’s practice of neutrally framing responses inspired me to consider each person’s viewpoint before stepping in. I gathered insights from everyone involved, much like ChatGPT pulls from a diverse array of knowledge. This approach allowed me to empathize with different perspectives, ultimately finding a compromise where everyone felt heard and valued. And, in family discussions, understanding my kids’ viewpoints has helped me foster a more empathetic and supportive home environment.
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Avoiding Reactive Responses
In today’s fast-paced world, reacting on impulse is all too easy, especially when we’re tired, stressed, or even just hungry. But ChatGPT’s calm, measured responses have been a powerful reminder of the value in resisting knee-jerk reactions. No matter the situation, ChatGPT’s replies are always steady, consistent, and completely unaffected by mood swings or fatigue. This unflappable approach has taught me the power of taking a breath, pausing, and responding with intention.
One instance stands out: I received a sudden, critical email from a client frustrated by a delay. My gut reaction was to defend our position right away, but recalling ChatGPT’s even-tempered style, I took a moment to reset. Instead of diving in defensively, I crafted a more thoughtful, solution-focused response—with a little help from ChatGPT, of course. This simple shift not only helped resolve the issue but also reinforced trust with the client. I’ve found that this habit of measured responses is invaluable, not only in business but also in family life, where a calm, open approach can work wonders in keeping misunderstandings at bay.
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Embracing a Positive Outlook
One of ChatGPT’s most striking qualities is its positive, constructive tone, even when responding to complex or difficult questions. This consistent positivity has naturally influenced my own outlook, showing me that kindness, paired with optimism, can shift the tone of any conversation.
In a recent team meeting where tensions were high, I found myself reflecting on ChatGPT’s unwavering, positive approach and decided to celebrate small wins instead of focusing solely on setbacks. This simple shift helped defuse tension, reminding the team of our shared goals. Likewise, in family life, this mindset encourages me to be a source of positivity, even during challenging times. A kind word or optimistic view often transforms the mood, whether at home, work, or in the community.
Conclusion
The Scout Law encourages us to “be kind,” and it’s a principle I strive to embody across all areas of my life. At first, the idea of Artificial Intelligence guiding me in such a deeply personal value seemed strange—almost unsettling. But I’ve come to see ChatGPT not as some daunting “Artificial” mind but rather as a tool, a kind of accessible library, to help us better organize our thoughts and communicate with care. It doesn’t replace human emotions; instead, it supports us in expressing them with greater clarity and intention.
Through engaging with this technology, I’ve found an unexpected guide in values like patience, empathy, mindfulness, and positivity. Whether I’m mentoring scouts, managing my business, or connecting with my family, I’ve seen how kindness—reinforced by these practices—enriches every relationship and strengthens the bonds we build.
ChatGPT has reminded me that kindness is not just about how we interact with others—it’s about cultivating the best within ourselves. Each thoughtful response from this tool nudges me to bring more of these qualities into my life, fostering a culture of respect, trust, and understanding that touches my family, business, and community. It’s a small reminder that kindness is the foundation of all meaningful connection.
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