If There Is Room for Kindness, Choose Kindness

My “new person move” is simple.

If there is room for kindness, choose kindness.

You are defined by what you say and do. Use your words and actions to build others up and foster a positive team dynamic. Be kind, be clear, and understand that you won’t please everyone — but you can always lead with kindness.

Why Kindness First

When we enter a new role — a new firm, a new team, a new courtroom — we are watched more than we realize. People notice how we treat the receptionist, not just the partner. They notice how we speak when we are tired, not just when we are performing.

Kindness at the start sets a tone that is hard to undo later. It does not mean avoiding hard conversations. It does not mean being a pushover. It means that even in difficult moments, the default is respect.

A Small Reminder to Myself

As a former refugee, I know what it feels like to walk into a room where no one expects you to be the lawyer. I also know what it means when someone chooses kindness anyway — when they slow down, explain, make eye contact, or simply assume your competence until proven otherwise.

Those moments have shaped me. I try to pass them on.

Be kind. Be clear. Lead with it.

Originally published in JUST. Magazine (Ontario Bar Association), “SPILL: Your Go-To ‘New Person’ Move” (December 2025). Read the original publication →