Kindness for the Win!
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Last week, I posted something on LinkedIn that hit a nerve… in the best way possible.
2,000+ reposts
17,000+ likes
Millions of views
Here’s the headline that lit the fire:
“Working with smart people is great. Working with kind and humble people is next-level amazing.”
It turns out…
People want kindness at work.
They want to see more of it from their bosses.
They want permission to lead with it themselves.
Kindness isn’t weakness. It’s courage in action.
Given that, here are 5 ways to make your workplace more kind and consequently, more effective:
I.
Smart is good. Kind is better.
We’ve all worked with people who are brilliant… but brutal. They drain energy. They shrink trust.
And that shrinks impact.
Try this:
Don’t just reward output. Acknowledge how it was achieved. Celebrate the teammates who lift others as they go.
II.
Kindness builds commitment.
Studies show:
26% more energy
36% more job satisfaction
44% higher team commitment
…when people feel kindness at work. Kindness is ROI-positive.
Try this:
Ask your team, “What’s one small thing I can do this week to make your life easier?”
III.
Being kind doesn’t mean being soft.
Tough feedback lands better when it’s delivered with care. Kind leaders don’t dodge truth. They deliver it with respect.
Try this:
Before giving feedback, ask yourself: “Do I want to be right or do I want to be heard?” Then lead with empathy.
IV.
Kindness scales when leaders model it.
Humility is contagious. So is generosity. If you’re the boss, how you behave gives others permission.
Try this:
Catch someone doing something right. Publicly thank them and name the impact they had. (Be specific.)
V.
The best teams trust each other. And trust starts with kindness.
People do their best work when they feel safe, seen, and supported. Tension might create urgency. But trust creates excellence.
Try this:
In your next 1:1, pause the task list. Ask, “How are you, really?” And then listen.
Your Unignorable Move
Kindness is a leadership skill. It builds culture. It boosts performance. And right now, your team might be craving more of it than you realize.
Be the one who goes first.
Your coach,
Chris
P.S. If you're feeling stuck right now, whether it's in your role, your team dynamic, or just navigating what's next… I host free Kickstart Calls. One actionable insight. Zero sales pitch. Just a little space to think clearly and move forward. Sometimes, the kindest thing you can do for yourself is ask for help. [Book yours here.]
