The value of kindness in leadership

Yesterday was World Kindness Day, a reminder of the simple yet transformative power of kindness.

In the high-stakes environment of business leadership, the pressure to achieve results often takes centre stage, pushing kindness to the background. However, kindness is actually the foundation for inspiring trust, engagement, and resilience within teams.

Steven Covey refers to kindness as “love in action,” another term that is often considered taboo in the competitive world of business. Yet, love and kindness do not equate to softness or merely being “nice.”

Acting with kindness requires intentional actions of care and respect that nurture a positive workplace and, in turn, enhance team performance.

Kindness builds trust and psychological safety

A leader who prioritises kindness fosters a safe environment where team members feel valued and respected.

Extensive research has been conducted on the concept of psychological safety, particularly in the work of Amy Edmondson and her book "The Fearless Organisation." This foundation of trust is crucial for enabling a team and organisation to reach their full potential and is essential for the success of high-functioning teams.

When people know their leaders genuinely care about them, they are more willing to share ideas, express concerns, and even admit mistakes. These are key elements of a collaborative, innovative workplace. Research shows that psychological safety, the sense of feeling secure enough to take interpersonal risks, is crucial for team success.

Kindness fosters this safety, helping employees to thrive and contribute fully.

Kindness as a catalyst for engagement and motivation

Kindness in leadership is a powerful motivator. People will engage with and feel loyal to leaders who demonstrate genuine concern for their well-being.

Leaders can practice kindness in simple, consistent ways: giving praise, offering constructive feedback gently, listening or asking how someone is doing before jumping into a task. These small gestures collectively build a culture where employees feel seen, appreciated, and energised to bring their best to the team. It is vital to make people feel valued.

Resilience through kindness

Being kind is also a powerful tool for building resilience, individually and within a team. When a leader acts with compassion and understanding, they show that setbacks are opportunities for growth rather than blame. A leader who responds to challenges with kindness encourages team members to adopt a similar approach, which can lead to healthier ways of handling stress and setbacks.

In times of change, kindness helps teams stay grounded. When leaders acknowledge the difficulties of change with empathy, it reassures people that their struggles are valid. This, in turn, can make them more adaptable and resilient, willing to embrace change rather than resist it.

The ripple effect of kindness

Kindness is contagious. When leaders role-model kindness, it tends to spread throughout the team, creating a culture where individuals support one another. This ripple effect doesn’t just improve morale, it can enhance overall business performance.

Teams where kindness is valued tend to have lower turnover rates, higher levels of job satisfaction, and better customer interactions. Clients and partners can also sense a kinder culture, which results in stronger, more positive relationships.

Kindness costs nothing

I’ve seen organisations spend fortunes on motivational initiatives and fancy rewards, but when it comes to the bottom line, being kind doesn’t have to cost a penny. Research by Deloitte (2018) surveyed 16,000 employees across 4,000 businesses and found that 85% preferred a simple thank you for their day-to-day accomplishments rather than any fancy gifts or celebrations.

When being kind, we take time to see and acknowledge people. This fulfils a universal human need for people to know they matter and are making a positive contribution.

The only cost this incurs is for the leader to develop their self and social awareness to act kindly and with conscious intention.

Cultivating kindness in leadership

So, how can leaders intentionally cultivate kindness?

Start with small, mindful actions.

Listen attentively, celebrate successes, encourage collaboration, and recognise people’s unique strengths.

Be patient and understanding, especially when challenges arise.

Remember, kindness doesn’t mean lowering standards; it means lifting people up to reach them.

In the spirit of World Kindness Day, let’s commit to bringing kindness into our leadership practices.

After all, kindness in leadership isn’t just about creating a pleasant workplace; it’s about fostering an environment where everyone has the support and encouragement they need to thrive.

As leaders, we have the power to make kindness a cornerstone of our workplaces and, in doing so, inspire a culture that benefits everyone, ourselves included.

Let’s make kindness not just an occasional act but a core part of who we are as leaders.

Do share your thoughts and experiences in the comments.