I came across this on Mastodon (the BEST social media platform), shared by user Vee, and thought it was really useful. Unfortunately I haven’t been able to find out where it’s from.
Here’s what it says:
UNDERSTAND THE SOURCE
Unkind behavior often stems from the other person’s struggles or insecurities. This can help you respond with empathy.
RESPOND WITH EMPATHY
Show understanding and compassion, even if you disagree with the other person.
MAINTAIN COMPOSURE
Stay calm and do not to take unkind behavior personally. This allows you to respond thoughtfully rather than react emotionally.
USE POSITIVE LANGUAGE
Avoid negative words and focus on constructive, positive communication.
TAKE A DEEP BREATH
Before responding, take a moment to breathe deeply, which can help regain composure.
PRACTICE ACTIVE LISTENING
Try to understand the other person’s point of view without immediately jumping to conclusions.
SET BOUNDARIES
Kindness does not mean tolerating abuse or disrespect. Set clear boundaries when necessary.
SEEK COMMON GROUND
Find areas of agreement or shared interests as a foundation for positive interaction.
OFFER HELP
Sometimes, unkind behavior is a cry for help. Helping can be a powerful response.
DO NOT RETALIATE
Avoid the temptation to respond in kind. Retaliation only perpetuates the cycle of unkindness.
PRACTICE FORGIVENESS
Holding onto anger or resentment harms you more than it affects the other person. Forgiveness can be liberating.
REFLECT AND LEARN
After the interaction, reflect on what happened and consider ways to improve future responses.
