There is a basic connection among people, who all fundamentally want the same things: to be appreciated, to belong, to feel good about themselves, to make a difference. I am reading William Baker and Michael O’Malley’s great book Leading with Kindness: How good people consistently get superior results. Kindness is an apropos term to apply to leadership because it implies precisely such root connections among people engaged in meaningful reciprocal relationships.

They state that kindness is made up from six virtues, these are Compassion, Integrity, Gratitude, Authenticity, Humility and Humour. Quite a good mix to bring to leadership , I think. So what have we said about kindness over the centuries, let’s take a wee gander:

1. Imagine if every soldier on the planet did this instead of firing their weapon in anger, let’s start the revolution today.

2. Kindness is funny, you can’t buy it, it seems to have no pricetag, but once given to somebody it is rarely forgotten: Change.

3. Be’s and But’s from Jim Rohn, one of the doyens of the personal development movement that  has transformed the business world.

4. You are never too busy to partake in this mighty, mighty adventure: Better Together.

5. When my dad died , we gave most of his possessions to charity, the people at his funeral were there because he was a kind generous soul.

 

6. Reading this has me ponder, how often do I do this in my instant gratification filled life: Strong.

7. So do I.

8. How deep is the depth and passion of your kindness, what gets in the way: Kindness is a Muscle.

9. There it is, in the silence of the actions that make it up,

10. Cute kid and animal post, the kindness in it oozes right out of the image: Someone Like You.

11. Leading by example, you don’t need the CEO title after your name.

12. How did you choose the leaders in your life. Are all your bosses and power points amongst them, not in mine: Everybody.

13. We are born free, one of the traits we get given is kindness which we display openly as young children, what happens later on?

14. I call it Interculturalism: Love and respect for All – Everyone Included: What I Am.

15. Yes, let’s be both.

Albert Schweitzer said ” Example is not the main thing in influencing others it is the only thing, I’ll finish with those powerful words.

Namaste until next time, my dear friends.