Leaders who are influential in modelling kindness to their staff benefit from increased employee well-being and engagement. Kind leaders create environments where relationships thrive and people feel safe. Including self-respect, respect for others, respect for diversity and the value it brings. Psychological safety is a key outcome of kindness in leadership.
Harvard Business School’s Amy Cuddy says that even before establishing their own credibility and competence, leaders who project warmth are more effective than people who lead with toughness. Kindness and warmth appears to accelerate trust. But, the link between kindness and great leadership extends beyond just the relationship we have with employees. Studies show it also increases employee performance.
Former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said “one of the criticisms I’ve faced over the years is I’m not aggressive enough, or maybe somehow, because I’m empathetic, it means I’m weak. I totally rebel against that. I refuse to believe that you cannot be both compassionate and strong.”
It makes sense: if we’re strong in empathy, we are more likely to get along with our fellow humans, and if we have control over emotions, our relationships will be more effective, we’ll also better be able to read and room and influence and negotiate with this kind of awareness.
Those high in empathy often have greater emotional intelligence, the ability to understand and effectively manage our emotions. People who have high degrees of emotional intelligence are able to better manage emotions, insecurities or fear and are therefore able to react to many situations in more appropriate and effective ways.
Empathy and kindness are important traits for leaders because they help to create a positive and supportive work environment, where employees feel valued, respected, and motivated. Here are some specific ways that empathy and kindness can benefit leaders:
1. Better relationships: Empathy allows leaders to understand and connect with employees on a deeper level, leading to better relationships, increased trust, and improved communication.
2. Increased motivation: Kindness and compassion can inspire employees to go the extra mile and feel more motivated, which can lead to improved performance and increased productivity.
3. Improved decision-making: Empathy can help leaders to see things from other people's perspectives, leading to better decision-making and more equitable treatment of employees.
4. Enhanced creativity and innovation: When employees feel valued and supported, they are more likely to be creative and innovative, which can lead to improved outcomes and therefore business success.
5. Better workplace culture: Empathy and kindness can help to create a workplace culture that is supportive, inclusive, and positive, which can lead to higher job satisfaction and lower turnover rates.
Leaders who demonstrate empathy and kindness are able to build stronger relationships with employees, foster a positive workplace culture, and drive better results for their organisations. These traits are essential for effective leadership and can help to create a more compassionate and equitable workplace.