Kindness is perhaps the most underrated leadership trait in business today. When was the last time you saw "kind leader" featured on someone's resume? Yet this powerful quality might be exactly what's missing from many leadership approaches.
This episode unpacks what true kindness in leadership actually means - having empathy, considering viewpoints in context, knowing when to hold back, and pivoting when situations require it. Far from being weakness, kindness represents a sophisticated leadership approach that balances human needs with organizational objectives. For women especially, demonstrating kindness often comes with unfair judgment, mistaken for weakness or a Pollyannish perspective.
Through a personal career example, I share how my kindness was once misinterpreted as lacking edge during an operating review. Instead of pushing a team beyond their capabilities or making unrealistic demands, I acknowledged reality, showed kindness to people and the situation, and developed alternative solutions to move forward. This approach required courage to stand before senior leadership and advocate for a measured, realistic approach.
The truth is, kind leadership doesn't mean being a pushover - as I like to say, "don't let the smooth taste fool you." Leaders who prioritize kindness aren't missing the strategic imperatives. They're approaching challenges with values intact, asking crucial questions: What's best here? What's needed? How can I show up effectively?
If you're battling misunderstandings because kindness is your operating mode, stand firm in your integrity. Your strength will prevail, situations will improve, and you'll advance your mission. Most importantly, when people look back years from now, they won't remember specific metrics or strategies—they'll remember how you made them feel. And that might be the most important leadership legacy of all. How will you demonstrate kindness in your leadership today?
Drive, Ambition, Doing, Leading, Creating... all good until we forget about our own self-care. This Village of All-Stars pays it forward with transparency about misses and celebration in winning. We cover many topics and keep it 100. We are Proven Not Perfect™️
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