When you put kindness in the center of your leadership, your results can only get better. Leading with kindness, does it really matter?
Many studies prove this, but for some reason, it is never discussed as a leadership skill. Maybe because it’s more of a core inherent quality than a skill, but actually, I believe that we should look at it as a skill because not all people are naturally kind. If this is you, you might want to think about growing and exercising this muscle.
I love this quote by Maya Angelou.
I HAVE LEARNED THAT PEOPLE WILL FORGET WHAT YOU SAID, PEOPLE WILL FORGET WHAT YOU DID, BUT PEOPLE WILL NEVER FORGET HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.
This is a powerful thought because, as leaders, we are constantly researching ways to influence others.
So why does leading with kindness matter?
Kindness is the basis of all humankind, so it’s only obvious, of course, when leaders act with kindness, that their employees feel better, therefore winning the heart and mind of team members.
As much as we want to believe employees leave companies’ stats, most employees leave their leaders. Kindness or lack of it will have a major impact on this and how your employees feel.
Kindness is one of the most powerful leadership tools. Most people equate kindness to weakness, but actually, it is quite the opposite. Kindness is as simple as a smile and opening a door for someone.
Kindness is not expensive; it costs us nothing. You can not buy it.
If you ask people who their best manager was? Nine times out of ten, they will name a kind leader. Go ahead, ask yourself that question and see who comes to mind.
Leaders that lead with kindness do it when it matters the most; in times of conflict or stress, they do not retaliate or blame others. Instead, they find ways to influence with respect and are always thinking about how people feel about working for them. Notice I said working for them. They do not get this confused with how people feel about them personally. But working for them is the same thing, and they understand this.
Most people take work home with them. They share stories about the day and their boss with friends and family at the dinner table. Wouldn’t it be great if your employees share how they love working for you with their loved ones? Imagine the impact of this small but mighty behaviour. To be kind is not always easy for everyone, and this is because life has not always been kind to them? To start creating kindness in your life, start with yourself. Be kind to yourself.
This is a big topic that I could talk about for hours; however, for the sake of this blog post and building kinder leaders, I will share a few ways to put kindness at the center of your leadership.
Here are a few tips to show Kindness as a leader.
REMEMBER PEOPLES NAMES AND USE THEM.
OPEN THE DOOR OR HOLD THE ELEVATOR.
SMILE MORE.
SAY THANK YOU TO THE CLEANER.
GET UP AND ASSIST IN MEETINGS CLEARING UP THE TABLE AFTER EVERYONE.
WHEN DELIVERING FEEDBACK, DO IT WITH KIND WORDS AND BODY LANGUAGE.
PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL PEOPLE INSTEAD OF EMAILING.
FIND THE TIME AND MENTOR SOMEONE ON YOUR TEAM.
LISTEN TO YOUR EMPLOYEES PERSONAL DESIRES, NOT ONLY BUSINESS.
SAY HELLO TO PEOPLE, EVEN IF THEY ARE NOT ON YOUR TEAM.
BE PRESENT AND HELP WHERE YOU CAN.
WORK WITH YOUR EMPLOYEES, SHOW YOU CARE.
STOP, PAUSE AND DON”T INTERRUPT.
DON’T HOLD GRUDGES FOR PAST BEHAVIOURS, GET OVER THEM AND MOVE ON.
If kindness was rated on your performance appraisal this year, how do you think you would rate? If you are thinking not so great right now, then you have some work to do. Imagine if we were rated on leading with kindness.
It is a part of the interpersonal savvy competency, which is something as leaders we all need to improve on. I talk more about this in my book below.
Click on the book to learn more.
There are many facets to interpersonal savvy; however, kindness is one of those soft skills that promote leaders faster than KPI’s. And if you are a kind leader, you will most likely attract GREAT people to work on your team, which is the biggest charge of all leaders.
After all, you are only as good as your team, and when you put kindness in the center of your leadership, you can only get better results.
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Thanks for reading,
Live Purposely, Lead Positively,
Founder and President retailu