The Secret Behind Great Leadership

Everyone likes secrets, then the secrets turn into rumours and before you know it, an impact is created. While the impact could be good or bad for a business, there is ONE SECRET that will always create a winning outcome, including an impact on the bottom line. The secret is, “always lead with kindness.” Build on your leadership skills to increase understanding, show that you care and offer support. You will be amazed at the outcome!

 “To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart.”— Eleanor Roosevelt

I’LL COVER FOR YOU

Brigette Hyacinth, author of Leading the Workforce of the Future, says, “The Best Leaders lead with Empathy and Kindness.” I can never forget my first boss, Joseph. When I had a personal crisis the first thing he told me was, “Why aren’t you out the door yet, I’ll cover for you.” He was concerned about my well-being. He genuinely cared about his employees. These are the bosses we remember. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to sweeping changes and disruptions in nearly every aspect of our daily life. More than ever managers need to be considering the well-being of their employees. Remember these are not normal circumstances. Your employees are operating in a crisis. They are:

• Fearful, anxious and worried
• Kids are at home
• Running to the store for essential supplies
• Under lockdown – Social isolation
• Trying to be safe and secure for themselves and vulnerable family members
• Grieving- People they know may be succumbing to this virus and they can’t say their final goodbyes

Empathy is always important, but it is particularly vital during a crisis. You can show empathy and kindness by:

• Frequently checking in with your employees
• Being understanding 
• Offering support
• Showing that you care
• Being considerate 

You may be a manager but above all, you are a human being. It is important to remember that we are in this together—think of others, reach out however you can, and remember to offer help even to those who may seem to be coping well. Be flexible and compassionate. In this COVID-19 pandemic we don’t need numbers-driven but human-centred leadership. We need leaders with a heart for people.

“To be kind is more important than to be right. Many times, what people need is not a brilliant mind that speaks but a special heart that listens.” ~F. Scott Fitzgerald 

The World’s Greatest Leaders do this   

Researchers William F. Baker, Ph.D. and Michael O’Malley, PhD, analysed the character traits of some of the world’s greatest leaders and identified “6 Ways to Lead with Kindness During Conflict.” Remaining accessible to your employees and putting yourself in their shoes when they come to you with a problem is important to demonstrating compassion. If you want to be an effective leader during conflict, display the following qualities in your personal and professional life:

• Compassion
• Integrity
• Gratitude
• Authenticity
• Humility
• Humour

Here’s a CEO’s SECRET

By Kathleen Kenehan, CEO shares One Secret for Success, “Always Lead with Kindness.” In a corporate setting, kindness can be perceived as a feminine trait. Male employees may have more social permission to be swift and direct, while women who approach a situation with a softer style are dismissively equated with being less effective, or even worse, weak. I’ve seen kindness exhibited beautifully by people of any gender. After this bruising election season, bluntness and sometimes bullying behaviour have become mainstream and replaced the courtesies and genteelness of generations past. But as an entrepreneur and a CEO who has lived by the philosophy “always lead with kindness,” I’m here to tell you that you’ll never regret a day of being considerate and (gasp!) nice in the workplace.

Here’s what I’ve learned over a 25-year career: If you lead with a kind word or a thoughtful gesture, you are squarely better off than if you bark a command or send a terse email. Not only will kindness make your business associates feel a sense of trust and comfort, it will actually benefit the bottom line. In my hard charging, fast-paced industry, unkind behaviour is, sadly, commonplace. I’ve made a conscientious effort to approach each challenge or stressful situation with a kind and gentle heart. So, you ask, what’s the trick? Well, there’s not just one. But I have found the following values hold true whether you’re hiring new talent or hunting for a job yourself:

• Hire the Person Not the Position
• Practice Gratitude in All Situations
• Stop Trying to Control Everything
• Be Your Authentic Self
• Practice Kindness Everywhere

Selecting kindness as your top priority is good both for business and for putting your head on your pillow at night. Optimism, kindness and a grateful heart are actually quite contagious. I have learned that everyone’s going through something, and a little kindness can go a long way. At the end of life, will you look back and be proud of putting someone in their place or putting a smile on someone’s face?

The 7 LAWS

In my blog, “The 7 Laws of kind Leadership,” my mantra is to always be a Brave and Kind Leader and empower brave and kind leaders around me and across the world. Research had shown that Kindness is a strength for leaders and that being kind makes us happier and our employees more productive!

My 7 laws for being a kind leader:

• Kindly be Present – The best gift you can give yourself and others is to be truly there, Kindly be Compassionate – Be kind to yourself first and foremost and compassionate to others, Kindly show you Care – People want to be cared about and by showing you care about others at work and in the community makes a difference
• Kindly show Gratitude – Always saying thank you to everyone who did something that you are grateful for whether it’s your team for doing great work or cafe worker making your coffee, Kindly help Others – If you someone is struggling or needs support of guidance, offer your help, Kindly show Respect – Accept everyone for who they are no matter what and respect them as human beings, Kindly be Kind – Ralph Waldo Emerson may have said it best. “You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late”

Create Space for Kindness in your Leadership

Kindness requires commitment and a new perspective, especially for a leader, so I am here to support you for your next level of success through three leadership opportunities:

1.    Join my Course to your Inner Courage and Kindness – and it’s only $47! I am beyond excited and privileged to have you working with me on my First Comes Courage Read-Along Course. Book your spot, grab the book and make this year a year of Courage! Join alone or as a team! Start anytime…

2.    Coaching helps leaders go from good to exceptional. Coaching conversations:

• build self-awareness
• uncover hidden strengths and limiting beliefs
• offer new perspectives
• evoke insight
• support goal-setting, accountability and achievement
• improve communication, and
• enhance performance

Book a FREE discovery session 

3.    LeadershipHQ’s Online Self-Paced Program ONLY $997 (RRP $1495)

Only $997 with a 14 Day Money Back Guarantee! Join 1000’s of people across the Globe who have transformed their confidence and leadership.

4. Outstanding Leadership Awards 2022 – Nominate Today!

And, remember, Leadership starts from within, so grab my latest book FIRST COMES COURAGE!

Get in touch today to learn more about building leadership skills and set yourself up for success!

Stay Kind. Stay Courageous.

Sonia x