Why Kindness Is One of the Most Underrated Leadership Traits

To this day, when we think of a “leader,” the image that often comes to mind is of the high-powered, intense executive. It’s an archetype of a decisive, even cutthroat, boss - a master of their domain who can both inspire their employees and crush their competition. Powerful, authoritative, tenacious - all traits our society has come to associate with leaders.

But what about kindness? That’s a question I get very often from the boards and CEOs I interact with. In what many perceive as a winner-take-all business world, is there room for kindness to take a place as a cornerstone of effective leadership? As I discuss in most boardrooms, the answer is yes. That’s because while kindness is often overlooked as a key business leadership trait, it has profound impacts on employee morale, productivity, and long-term organizational success.

It’s common to think that leaders, especially in the business world, must be “tough.” After all, to many, the success of a company must often come at the expense of others. Even on a personal level, there is a perception that a leader must be tough to command respect from their subordinates and peers. Displays of kindness, on the other hand, could be perceived as weakness and vulnerability.

But the idea that a harsh demeanor is necessary to maintain control is a complete myth. A number of highly successful leaders prove otherwise. These leaders prize empathy in leadership, and emphasize kindness, active listening, and collaboration in company culture. This approach typically does not interfere with decision-making and instead enhances their ability to motivate and inspire.

Ultimately, leaders must dispense with the misconception that kindness equates to softness and indecisiveness. Kindness means treating people with respect, which will lead to a culture of trust that will elevate the entire organization.

Low employee morale and related high turnover are persistent challenges for businesses, and one of the most frequently discussed leadership topics; the source often stems from a lack of kindness and empathy across management. With employee retention more important than ever in today’s competitive talent marketplace, kindness from leadership can build the loyalty and engagement that make employees more likely to stay with the company and perform at their best.

Zappos, the online shoe and clothing retailer, provides a good example. Tony Hsieh, the company’s late CEO, built a company culture around ideals of transparency and kindness, in which employees felt emotionally invested in the company’s success. This led to both high employee morale and - outside of the company - a loyal customer base. It’s no surprise, then, that Zappos was consistently ranked as one of the best places to work.

That success proves that when kindness is built into leadership and company culture, employees are more likely to be engaged in their work. Boosting morale then leads to more productive teams and an atmosphere of positivity that customers can sense as well.

Trust is essential in any business, and leaders who lack strong relationships with their employees will find it hard to build that trust. Kindness creates that sense of trust, and with trust comes open, honest communication between team members. If those team members don’t feel comfortable communicating their ideas and concerns, the entire company will lose out eventually.

Given the rapid pace of change and fight for innovative ideas, companies should want employees to offer their very best ideas, as well as share potential challenges. By fostering such transparency and trust, kindness from leadership allows employees to better contribute to the company’s success.

For as important as kindness is during steady times, it’s even more critical during difficult and uncertain times. In times of crisis, people look to leaders who can remain calm and compassionate. It’s these types of leaders who can inspire the resilience that will guide people to the light at the end of the tunnel.

Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern demonstrated such leadership through crisis. Her tenure was marked by both the tragic Christchurch Mosque shootings as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, and her stewardship of the nation through both was marked by empathy, calmness, and transparency. She showed that challenging times require a calming, human vision for moving forward rather than simply dispassionate authority.

In the business world, times of crisis invariably lead to lower morale and higher stress, even fear and confusion.

The way in which a leader acts tends to influence how an entire organization acts. Therefore, kindness in leadership has a ripple effect across all levels of the business, boosting morale not just for individuals but across the company culture as a whole.

As an example, look to the outdoor clothing and gear company Patagonia, which is renowned for its commitment to social responsibility. Founder Yvon Chouinard built this business on a foundation of ethical values and kindness to employees and the environment. Today, that culture permeates the entire company, from the C-suite to the factory floor, and is a key reason behind Patagonia’s brand loyalty and employee satisfaction.

In the end, a leader’s sense of kindness doesn’t just affect those directly around him - these values can spread across the entire company and transform a culture into one that reflects the ethical intentions of its leadership.

While the benefits of kindness in leadership are clear, leaders still must make an intentional effort to put that value into practice. Here are a few steps leaders can take to incorporate kindness into their day-to-day work and interactions:

• Practice gratitude: Employees want to be seen and valued, and there’s no better way for leaders to do that than by expressing gratitude for their contributions. A public shout-out in a meeting or even a simple email of appreciation (or a hand written note) shows team members that their hard work is not going unrecognized.
• Listen actively: Leaders should keep lines of communication open with employees, and actively listen to their ideas and concerns. This helps employees feel valued and can give leaders better insight into parts of their organization they may not see firsthand.
• Provide constructive feedback with empathy: There will come a time when leaders have to deliver less-than-stellar feedback to employees. When that happens, leaders should focus on development rather than criticism, allowing the feedback to lead to future growth.
• Be present for your team: Making time for mentorship and guidance is a key part of kind leadership, while also positioning team members for long-term success.
• Lead by example: Whether it’s with colleagues, clients, or employees, leaders have a responsibility to set the tone for a workplace and create a culture that thrives on respect and collaboration.
• Create a safe space for vulnerability: Mistakes will happen in any team or business. What’s important is that leaders emphasize learning from those mistakes, which means allowing for vulnerability and the growth that comes with it.
• Encourage inclusivity and fairness: Teams need an inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong, regardless of their background or position. A tangible example of this is ensuring that all voices are heard and valued in meetings and decision-making processes.

Kindness undergirds a host of vital business skills, from trust-building to communication to crisis management. This makes kindness a strategic asset, allowing leaders to inspire dedication, foster collaboration, and build high-performing teams. And it has a ripple effect across the company, even down to the customers, who will feel their own sense of loyalty to a business with high morale and laudable values.

In short, kindness isn’t just about “being nice” - it’s a powerful leadership tool that drives long-term results. Leaders who embrace kindness as a core trait and actively incorporate it into their leadership style can position themselves, their teams, and their entire organization for lasting success.