Beyond Nice: Leading with Kindness with Sue Brisbois

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What does it really mean to lead with kindness? And how is kindness different from simply being nice—or even from care?

In this episode of Go Coach Yourself, Ryan and Vic sit down with friend and colleague Sue Brisbois, founder of Brizboy Works, to explore how curiosity, problem-solving, and kindness intersect in both work and life.

Sue shares her philosophy of falling in love with the problem, not the solution, how curiosity can transform constraints into opportunities, and why kindness often requires courage and intentionality. Together, they unpack how environments shape whether kindness can thrive, the tension between command-and-control leadership vs. psychological safety, and why kindness is a conscious choice we make again and again.

If you’ve ever wondered how to bring more authenticity, curiosity, and courage into your leadership—or into your everyday interactions—this conversation is for you.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why understanding the problem deeply accelerates finding the right solution
• The difference between being nice and being kind
• How curiosity and kindness create conditions for better work and stronger relationships
• The role of psychological safety in allowing kindness to flourish
• Why kindness is a choice we must make with intention

Resources & Links Mentioned:

• Humankind by Rutger Bregman
• Amy Edmondson’s TED Talk on Psychological Safety
• Past Go Coach Yourself! episodes on Values and Self-Awareness 
• Connect with Sue: brizboy.com | Sue on LinkedIn

Hosts:

Ryan Reichert-Estes, StackRise Coaching | LinkedIn | Insta: @stackrisecoaching

Vic Smith, WhistleSmith.co | LinkedIn | Insta: @vic_bk