CEOs, Bestselling Authors, and Professional Athletes Told Me that One Word is Key
I recently reviewed the transcripts from the first 25 Leadership Lab podcast episodes. One word jumped out at me.
Many of the CEOs, NYT bestselling authors, & former professional athletes told me that one word has been key to their success.
What’s the word?
Kindness
That’s right, kindness.
Here are 3 things to know about kindness
1. Kindness isn’t weakness; it’s strength.
It takes strength to kindly & respectfully give someone performance feedback, to share concerns with a customer, or to challenge an unfair process.
2. Kindness isn’t efficient; it’s effective.
At times, it’s much easier to go fast – to push through an issue. However, kindness requires us to slow down & sacrifice speed for effectiveness. Be efficient with things & effective with people.
3. Kindness isn’t forgettable; it’s valued.
When you are kind to others, they remember you. They choose to partner with you. They encourage their friends & coworkers to do the same. We all want to be seen, valued, & heard. Being kind allows the space to meet those needs.
I for one choose to be kind.
Who’s with me?
Photo by Irene Strong on Unsplash
Patrick Leddin, PhD is a speaker, global leadership consultant, and The Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Five-Week Leadership Challenge. Patrick is an Associate Professor at Vanderbilt University with a thriving leadership blog and podcast, and 25-years of leadership experience. He offers an unparalleled mix of academic rigor and real-world experience.