While on business in New York, frequently pegged as a stereotypically unkind city, Jeff Stibel was shown extreme kindness. After he broke his foot, strangers were helping him out of cabs, carrying his bag at the airport, and giving him extra pizza. He explains on LinkedIn that helping others can actually help you, too. When we’re kind to someone else, our brain releases oxytocin, and oxytocin makes us feel happy. So why don’t we show everyone the same kindness we reserve for those who are hurt? Especially when it comes to our co-workers? Try brightening your workplace by showing some kindness every day, you’ll literally be happy you did.
The World’s Report Card: Is B The New A? – by Jeff Stibel
On Friday we found out that Standard & Poor’s downgraded France’s credit rating. “Debt grade cut from AA+ to AA due to weak economic growth, high unemployment and government spending constraints,” the Telegraph reported. These issues are all too familiar to American readers, many of whom still recall the sting of having our own credit rating downgraded from AAA to AA+.
While the United States has always fancied itself in a league above any individual European country, this news should serve as a reminder that we’re not doing so badly on a relative basis. In fact, compared to the rest of the world’s economies, the United States ranks…
Read the full article on LinkedIn where it originally appeared.