Kindness makes the world go round. And guess what? It’s an increasingly rare commodity.
In a world where we are often encouraged to put ourselves first, kindness can sometimes seem like a forgotten virtue.
Kindness person is not only important for our own well-being, it improves the world around us!
In this article, we’ll explore 19 personality traits of a genuinely kind person, and provide tips on how you can cultivate these traits in your own life. Ready to kill with kindness? Let’s jump in!
1) Empathy
I’ll be honest, from my experience empathy is the foundation of kindness.
Empathy allows us to connect with others on a deeper level and understand their needs and desires.
Being able to understand and relate to the emotional experiences of others is a trademark of kindness.
To cultivate empathy, try putting yourself in someone else’s shoes and imagining how they might be feeling.
Listen actively to their concerns, and show that you care about their well-being.
This in itself is an act of generosity. Speaking of which…
2) Generosity
A kind person is willing to give freely of their time, resources, and talents to help others.
Generosity is a key quality of kindness, as it allows us to share our blessings with those around us and make a positive impact on their lives.
To showcase generosity, look for opportunities to give back to your community, whether it’s volunteering at a local charity or donating to a worthy cause.
Remember, not everyone is as lucky as you are! Spread kindness through generosity.
3) Patience
A kind person is able to remain calm and patient, even in difficult or frustrating situations.
Patience is an important quality for anyone who wants to cultivate kindness in their daily life.
To become more patient, be mindful–try taking a few deep breaths when you feel yourself getting frustrated or angry, or anxious.
Practice regular mindfulness and meditation to help you stay centered and focused.
4) Humility
From my experience, most kind people are also pretty damn humble!
A kind person is able to put aside their own ego and focus on the needs and well-being of others.
Humility is an important trait for anyone who wants to be a genuinely kind person.
To have more humility, try putting the needs of others ahead of your own, and resist the urge to seek recognition or reward for your actions.
5) Forgiveness
Another core trait of genuine kindness is the ability to forgive.
A kind person is able to forgive others for their mistakes and shortcomings and move on without holding a grudge.
Forgiveness is an important quality for anyone who wants kindness to permeate their relationships with others.
To develop your sense of forgiveness, try having an open and honest conversation with the other person, and work together to find a solution that works for both of you.
6) Gratitude
Hear me out: a good-hearted person is able to appreciate the good things in life and express gratitude for them.
Gratitude is a key component of kindness, as it allows us to appreciate the blessings in our lives and share them with others.
Gratitude means appreciating what you have in life and not constantly comparing yourself with others.
To foster gratitude, try keeping a gratitude journal or simply taking a moment to appreciate the beauty of the world around you.
7) Compassion
The kind person is able to show kindness and understanding to those who are suffering or in need.
Sure, we all might feel kind of bad for the homeless vagrant around the corner.
The compassionate and kind person might take it a step further by providing that person with food, shelter, or even work opportunities. I’ve seen it happen!
Compassion is a crucial quality for anyone who wants to be a genuinely kind person.
To grow your compassion, try to put yourself in the shoes of those who are suffering, and show them that you care about their well-being through small acts of altruism.
And to be compassionate, people tend to consider you more trustworthy. Let’s discuss that…
8) Trustworthiness
Being trustworthy will take you far in life. The kind person is trustworthy and reliable, always following through on their commitments.
Trustworthiness is a critical quality for anyone who wants to cultivate kindness in their relationships with others.
To be a bit more trustworthy, try being honest and transparent in your communication with others, and follow through on your commitments.
And trustworthiness is a big indicator of respect…
9) Respectfulness
As a genuinely kind person, you treat others with respect, regardless of their background, class, race, or beliefs.
Respectfulness is huge! And a key trait for anyone who wants to be a genuinely kind person.
To cultivate respectfulness, try to treat others as you would like to be treated, and be open to learning from their experiences and perspectives and not just your own.
Remember what the legendary Aretha Franklin said: “R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what it means to me!” Well when you’re respectful, expect a lot of good things to suddenly come your way.
10) Selflessness
In all honesty, I’ve come to the realization that the kind person is willing to put the needs of others ahead of their own.
Selflessness is an important quality for anyone who wants to be a genuinely kind person.
To nurture your inner selflessness, try to look for opportunities to help others, even if it means putting your own needs, resources, and desires aside for a time.
11) Responsiveness
A kind person is no couch potato.
I used to think I was pretty kind by reposting Instagram stories of global tragedies. That made me feel like a good person even though in reality it was pure “slacktivism.”
The kind person is responsive to the needs and concerns of others and will actively do something to improve their situation.
Responsiveness is an important quality for anyone who wants to cultivate kindness in their lives and the world around them.
Become more responsive by actively listening to others, and being responsive to their needs and concerns. Be proactive and assertive about ways you can help!
12) Non-judgmental
A kind person isn’t at all judgmental and does not criticize or condemn others for their choices or beliefs.
You don’t have to worry about the kind person talking behind your back–a kind person has your back!
Being non-judgmental is an important trait for anyone who wants to be a genuinely kind person.
So try to maintain an open-mindedness and be accepting of others, even if their beliefs or choices differ from your own.
And being open-minded shows your flexibility as a person! Let’s take that a bit further…
13) Flexibility
Let’s be honest, a kind person isn’t a pain in the a** when things don’t go their way.
A kind person is flexible and adaptable and is willing to adjust their plans to accommodate the needs of others.
Flexibility is an important quality for anyone who wants to be a genuinely kind person.
To be more flexible, try to be open to new experiences and willing to adjust your plans as needed to accommodate the needs of others.
14) Graciousness
I’ve always noticed that a kind person is always gracious and polite without fail. They treat others with courtesy and dignity.
Graciousness is an important trait for anyone who wants to be a genuinely kind person.
Be gracious in your everyday life by being polite, kind, and courteous in your interactions with others, and show appreciation for their contributions and efforts, no matter how menial that task at hand may be.
15) Optimism
Gracious people tend to be optimists too. They tend to be optimistic and hopeful and look for the good in others and in the world.
Optimism is a key quality of kindness, as it allows us to see the potential for good in others and in the world around us.
Be optimistic by focusing on the positive aspects of your life, and look for opportunities to help others and make a positive impact in the world
16) Altruism
When you’re truly kind you generally seek to do good for others without expecting anything in return.
Altruism is definitely a common quality for anyone who wants to be a genuinely kind person.
To grow your capability for altruism, try to actively search for opportunities to do good for others, without expecting anything in return other than to spread joy and good vibes!
17) Diplomacy
Another type of kindness involves being diplomatic.
Good-hearted folks are diplomatic and tactful and are able to navigate difficult or sensitive situations with grace and compassion.
You don’t have to be an international ambassador to be diplomatic.
But regardless, diplomacy is an important trait for anyone who wants kindness as a focal point in their relationships with others.
To cultivate diplomacy, try to be tactful and respectful in your communication with others, and avoid confrontation whenever possible; instead, seek out resolutions that make everyone feel good.
18) Open-mindedness
To be kind is to have an open mind.
A genuinely kind person is open-minded and receptive to new ideas, people, and experiences. They don’t cower when change comes along, they embrace it!
Open-mindedness is a major asset for anyone who wants to cultivate kindness in their relationships with others because it indicates spontaneity and tolerance of others.
If you want to be more open-minded, try to be receptive to new ideas and experiences, and be willing to learn from others who have different experiences and perspectives than your own.
Get out of that comfort zone and live!
Being open-minded makes you an authentic and original person. This brings me to my final point…
19) Authenticity
Being authentic makes you a true badass–-and a kind one at that.
A kind person is authentic and true to themselves and does not put on a façade or pretend to be someone they’re not.
They aren’t overly concerned about fads, trends, or how people perceive them!
Kind people tend to be authentic because they don’t discriminate based on background or circumstances, they’re kind just for the sake of being…well, kind!
Conclusion
Being a genuinely kind person may not always be easy, but it is always worth it!
The personality traits we’ve explored in this article are just some of the qualities that define a kind person. There are many others. Kindness is a powerful tool that can help you improve your relationships and make the world a better place. You can’t go wrong there!
So get yourself out there, be kind, and spread positivity wherever you go. You never know who you might inspire to do the same.
