Compassionate Leadership: Kindness as Superpower
Andrew Parkinson
Senior Executive | MPA | Corporate Affairs | Policy | Media | Government Relations | Stakeholder Communications | AI Curious
Key Points:
I’ve been thinking a lot recently about kindness.
It’s an unfortunate truth that even now in 2024 some (I would say as yet unevolved) sectors still see kindness as a weakness, a vulnerability, unnecessary.
But I think it’s a superpower - an incredible tool for delivering results and building positive relationships within and between teams and stakeholders.
When you approach your work with kindness, you’ll tend to have it reflected back. People are much more likely to be receptive when they feel valued and respected.
Kindness can also serve as a powerful shield for negative behaviour.
There’s really no better defence against bad behaviour than compassion for the person demonstrating it. I don’t mean that in a snarky way. People aren’t naturally awful. They’re more than likely feeling insecure, unhappy, lost.??
So what are some of the transformative benefits of kindness? Here’s a few:
#1. The Ripple Effect
Kindness doesn't just hang out at the top; it cascades. When leaders consistently demonstrate kindness, they encourage a broader culture of respect and empathy. This builds employee morale and satisfaction, a compounding effect, making the workplace a whole lot more enjoyable and supportive all round.
#2. Boosting Productivity
People who feel respected and valued are both happier and more productive. Acknowledging individual contributions, offering support during challenges, and promoting inclusion all lead to higher levels of engagement and output - it's not rocket science!?
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#3. Enhanced Team Collaboration
Kindness fosters an environment where team members feel more comfortable sharing ideas and feedback. This reduces conflicts and misunderstandings, making teamwork more efficient and effective, and it also leads to more collaboration as people trust each other.
#4. Reduced Workplace Stress
Kindness can also act as a buffer against the pressures and stress often associated with professional environments. Kindness and support during challenging times can lead to better mental health, reduced burnout, and a more resilient workforce. Your #1 job as a leader is to look out for your team - be kind.
#5. Increased Creativity
A kinder workplace is a safer space for creativity and innovation, where people are more likely to take risks and think outside the box. It encourages a culture of experimentation and learning from mistakes, a fear-free environment where ideas are welcomed.
In my most recent leadership role I invested consistently to create a culture of kindness - I even won an award for it!?I saw all these benefits and more and, crucially, I wasn't the only one. My team and (most of) the people we worked with were positively fuelled by it.
Kindness is not at all a sign of weakness, rather one of strength and wisdom.
Embrace it as a superpower, elevate your leadership skills and inspire those around you to do the same. It's not just an ethical choice; it’s a strategic one.
So go on - have the courage to be kind!
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Media Adviser | Issues Management | Government Relations | Community Engagement
10 个月Wow! I didn't know you could get a trophy for being kind. There should be more recognition of kindness. The world desperately needs more #kindness so let's make it trendy, on trend or go viral!
Director of Engagement, Ethos Urban
10 个月Look at you Mr Award winner ?? why does this not surprise me?! You are fab and clever and kind. A triple threat! Definitely subscribe to it’s cool to be kind ????
Founder + CEO @ Fifty Acres | PRCA Australia Network Member | Fellow CPRA
11 个月There’s nothing more important than making sure you have kind people around you!
Snr Communications Officer at the Natural Resources Access Regulator, NSW Gov
11 个月Words are lovely, and important, but actions are lasting. True kindness comes when there's no reward for the giver. Their motivation is sincerity. I had the most wonderful role model in my late dad. The humble insurance broker who actually looked after his clients' going above and beyond. He saved a Nth QLD banana plantation once from a low ball $25K pay out offer to fight for the eventual $350K they received. Dad was retired and did it for nothing. It took him 8 months. It's why more than 600 people crammed into St Matthews church on Manly corso to attend his funeral and say goodbye to a truly kind man. We also learnt after his death, of dad once buying a cricket bat for one of the kids he coached in Jnr cricket. The young teen at the time came from a broken home and life was a bit tough. Dad, who had 4 sons of his own to provide for, bought him the bat (and many lifts to games) so he could keep feeling what it was like to be part of a team. The boy went on to become a professional surfer & was on the pro circuit for a few years there. He's made a great life for himself. One of Trev's sayings to his four sons was " You treat the cleaner with the same respect as the CEO."
Independent Researcher/Writer/Fact Checker
11 个月In 1999, I lived in NZ for 4 months with my family. We traveled to Australia, spending two weeks on the Gold Coast. Everyone we met was warm, friendly and kind. Kindness seemed to be infused into both cultures--Aboriginal and English. We had an amazing time. There are days I wish I had heeded my high school classmate's encouragement to settle in Oz.