Kindness as a Strategy: The Value That Changes Everything

Here’s the truth no one tells you: If you’re not looking back at your past and "cringing", you’re not growing.

For me, one of the biggest cringe moments in my journey as an entrepreneur and leader was realizing I hadn’t fully understood the power of kindness. Back then, I thought relentless drive and hard-charging leadership were the keys to success. I was wrong.

Kindness isn’t weakness. It’s not about avoiding conflict, being a pushover, or saying "yes" to everything. In fact, kindness often demands the harder choice: leading with empathy, tackling difficult conversations with respect, and staying collaborative even when things get messy.

Why does this matter? Because no one builds anything great alone. Kindness creates trust, fuels innovation, and strengthens relationships. These are the real building blocks of sustainable success.

What Kindness Really Means

At StrongMind, our first core value is kindness: Be easy to work with. It’s simple in theory but deceptively challenging in practice.

Being easy to work with means showing up as a decent human being in ways that uplift others and foster collaboration. Here’s how our team at StrongMind lives this value every day:

• They are curious about one another. Curiosity builds connection by encouraging understanding and respect.
• They are helpers and solvers. Whether offering support on a tough project or finding creative solutions, they actively contribute.
• They respond quickly and briefly. Clear and timely communication shows respect for everyone’s time.
• They keep it positive. Even in challenges, they approach problems with optimism and a solutions-first mindset.
• They are ethical. Integrity is at the core of their actions, earning trust and accountability.
• They follow up and are respectful. Commitments are honored, and professionalism sets the tone.
• They have work boundaries. Balance isn’t a luxury; it’s essential for long-term success.
• They express appreciation. Gratitude is a thread running through their work, from quick thank-you emails to public recognition.

These small, deliberate actions create a culture where people feel valued, empowered, and motivated to do their best work.

Let’s shatter the myth that kindness is “soft.” Kindness in leadership is the ultimate strategy.

Kindness is how you solve problems, move forward under pressure, and inspire others to show up as their best selves.

Kindness is choosing to listen instead of reacting. It’s leading with clarity and empathy when stress is high. And it’s creating an environment where trust replaces fear, so collaboration can thrive.

Because here’s the reality: You can’t build anything meaningful without trust, relationships, and collaboration—and kindness is the glue that holds all three together.

The Journey to Kindness

I didn’t start my career with kindness as a priority. As a younger entrepreneur, I believed results mattered more than relationships, and I often pushed people too hard.

Looking back, there are moments I cringe at and times when I let my ambition overshadow my humanity. But those moments taught me something invaluable: Success isn’t just about what you achieve—it’s about how you achieve it.

Over time (through failure, self-reflection, and a lot of growth) I realized that being hard to work with doesn’t drive results; it erodes them. The best ideas come from people who feel valued, not intimidated. Collaboration happens when trust is present, not fear.

If you’re not cringing at some of your past decisions, it’s worth asking: Are you really growing?

Why Kindness Matters at StrongMind

Kindness isn’t just a value we talk about. It’s the foundation of how we work. It’s about creating an environment where people feel supported, empowered, and inspired to innovate.

Kindness reminds us to check our egos at the door and focus on what truly matters: building something meaningful together.

At the end of the day, leadership is about choosing to be part of the solution, not the problem. Kindness isn’t the easiest choice, but it’s the most transformative one.

So here’s my challenge to you: How easy are you to work with? Not just on a good day, but when the stakes are high, the pressure is on, and deadlines are looming.

If answering that question makes you cringe, embrace it. It means you’re growing.

Let’s lead with kindness, not because it’s easy, but because it changes everything.