Kindness hasn’t always been high on the list when it comes leadership. For some, leadership is about being tough and having people do what you say. For others, kindness is seen as a weakness or just the latest fad in leadership. But what if I told you that kindness may be the number one superpower of a strong leaders? Let’s take a closer look at what it means to be a kind, compassionate leader and some ways to put it into action within your organization.

Developed by Roffey Park, the ‘Compassion Workplace Model’ outlines five aspects of compassionate leadership and management:

• Being aware of the needs of others.
• Being non-judgmental to the viewpoints of others.
• Being resilient and tolerant toward personal distress.
• Feeling and showing empathy at all levels of a professional life.
• Being accountable and responsible for all good and bad outcomes of the team.

So, what does that look like day-to-day in the workplace? What are some ‘real life’ ways that leaders can practice kindness and build a positive workplace culture? Here are a few examples:

• Offer genuine compliments: Recognizing your teams’ hard work, achievement or skills can make them feel appreciated and motivated. Remember to be sincere and specific when complimenting them about their work or the impact of their actions.
• Organize team-building activities: Plan activities that promote bonding, collaboration and fun among team members. Ideas include a group lunch, team games or volunteering together.
• Practice active listening: Sounds simple, but when a team member is speaking, give them your full attention and listen carefully without interrupting. It goes a long way towards making them feel heard and valued.
• Celebrate successes and milestones: Recognize the accomplishments of your team members by celebrating their successes, work anniversaries and other milestones.
• Offer constructive feedback: When providing feedback, focus on being helpful and specific. Offer suggestions for improvement and make sure to highlight positive contributions.
• Express your gratitude: Make it a habit to show thanks for the support and assistance you receive from team members. A simple “thank you” can go a long way in creating a positive atmosphere.
• Show empathy during difficult times: Be supportive and understanding when team members are dealing with personal or professional challenges. Offering help, listening or a simple kind gesture shows that you care.
• Be mindful of workload: Avoid setting unrealistic expectations and communicate clearly about deadlines and priorities.

Challenge yourself and your team to complete a few random acts of kindness today. Track the outcome, record how it made you and your team feel and how it brought people together. Then, watch how it creates a positive ripple effect.

A kind leader is a strong leader. How can you lead with more compassion and empathy? And what impact might it have on your team members and their productivity? Leah M Joppy and Associates can help your organization create a culture of kindness and start reaping the benefits of this powerful tool! Call us at 301-670-0051 or email us at leah@lmja.com to learn more.