Tim Hawkes started us off strong by talking about fighting against selfishness and even Catholic guilt. And that a kindness is kind if it delivers a benefit. Whether it is selfish or not doesn’t matter.
Dave Roberts agreed that there can be ulterior motives to being kind; suggesting that if someone is trying to improve their status in the world by doing something for someone, that isn’t kindness.
Atif Agha brought in the nuance that “selfish” has a negative connotation but doing something for someone that brings you self-enrichment isn’t negative. However, a backhanded favor isn’t a kindness.
My thoughts were – it doesn’t have to be bad for me to be good for you. I don’t believe in altruism. If you are kind to be manipulative, that isn’t kindness.
How do you think kindness and selfishness are related?
Connect with the panelists:
Dave Roberts: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-roberts-56690513/
Teacher, co-author of the book When the Psychology Professor Met the Minister and a bereavement support specialist
Tim Hawkes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timhawkes/
Managing Director of Unlimited Potential. Mental engineer and executive coach focusing on logical and practical solutions to challenging problems. He is in the UK
Atif Agha: https://www.linkedin.com/in/atifagha/
Technology specialist doing data analytics and avid runner, based in Chicago
Dr Robyn Odegaard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynodegaard/
AKA Mental MacGyver. My doctorate is in organizational business psychology with a concentration in sport and performance. I provide luxury level, high performance support and coaching to executives, founders, celebrities and athletes.
Want a summary of the Quick Hits plus the links to the LinkedIn pages of each of the panelist to show up in your in-box every week? Let me know where to send it: https://drrobynodegaard.com/quick-hits-notifications/
#QuickHits are designed to exercise your brain by letting you listen in on an unscripted conversation to get other people's thoughts on pertinent subjects. If you would like to join a conversation or have a topic you would like to hear discussed, please message me. https://www.MentalMacGyver.com
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