Softening the Edge of Criticism

We live in a culture that loves a 'roast.' We are rewarded for being witty, sharp, and cynical. It is easy to find the flaw in everything and point it out with a clever line. But that sharpness creates a very cold environment. It makes everyone around us feel like they have to be perfect or they will be the next target. Kindness is the choice to put the sword away and lead with a softer edge.

During National Kindness Week 2026, I am thinking about how I deliver feedback. There is a huge difference between being 'brutally honest' and being 'helpfully honest.' One is about your ego and wanting to feel superior; the other is about actually helping the other person grow. You can say the hardest things in the world if you say them with a tone of genuine care and respect.

Softness is not weakness. In fact, it takes a lot more strength to be kind than it does to be mean. It requires self-control and a high level of emotional intelligence. You have to manage your own triggers so you do not project them onto others. When you choose to be gentle, you are creating a space where people can actually hear you. They do not have to put up their shields.

Try to catch yourself before you say something snarky today. Ask yourself if what you are about to say adds anything of value to the world. If it is just meant to make you look smart at someone else's expense, maybe keep it to yourself. The world has enough critics. It needs more people who are willing to be the calm in the storm, the voice that offers a way forward instead of a way down.