Win them with kindness!

 

Selena Gomez in one of her song says that, "No war and anger was ever won, put out the fire before igniting. Next time you're fighting, please, kill them with kindness". With some changes in these lyrics, I would rephrase it as, "No war and anger was ever won, put out the fire before igniting. Next time you're leading a team, please, win them with kindness". Yes, with authoritative style of leadership, no leader is ever liked and loved. Be it in any field. Be it handling your kids. Be it handling your family members! 

Fear doesn't work if you want your subordinates or followers to do the work for you by putting their heart in it and put their 100% in it. Kindness and compassion provides the motivation to help, presenting the leader with an array of options to pursue, like using various mentoring tactics, such as soothing and encouraging, guiding and coaching, and teaching and demonstrating. Kindness is seeing the best in others when they cannot see it in themselves. 

Kindness is something anyone can give without losing anything themselves. Goodness is about character - integrity, honesty, kindness, generosity, moral courage. More than anything else, it is about how we treat other people. No human (and even animal) would like if they are treated in an unkind and rude manner. Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love. 

Though compassion has been called the most basic social emotion, it isn’t readily available at the workplace. This is tragedy of almost all workplaces. 

The HRs must also remember that they should hire people for character, never for convenience. It is far easier to bring in people who subscribe to your belief system than to try to influence behavior after the fact. Thus, companies that truly understand the character of their employees to be a competitive advantage spend a lot of time getting to know candidates before they let them in. 

The recruitment and hiring processes are seen as being as fundamental as any other operating procedures, and they are well planned, thorough, and to be taken seriously by everyone involved. The need for a careful selection process applies to any population where cohesiveness and the interpersonal experiences of group members are crucial for superior performance. While hiring the employees for higher management and leadership roles, HRs must be ultra careful and do complete and thorough background check about their work ethics and human values. 

All of us receive cues from our environment about what is advisable or inadvisable, appropriate or inappropriate, good or bad, right or wrong. We are programmed to be quick learners and keen observers of others. The words of leaders resound, and their actions have tremendous influence on what employees regard as acceptable. Actions really do “speak” more loudly than words. A leader who obviously acts in ways inconsistent with the norms and values of the organization, will be scorned by employees as a corporate hypocrite, while subtly inviting those with a passion for self-interest to join him in similar violations.

For our leaders, however, living a values-based life isn’t confined to the corporate setting. Watchful eyes are always on the leader, and good companies realize that. In addition, behaving ethically is habit-forming. Leaders are expected to show the same equanimity, honor, and grace in all facets of life. True leaders would be the first to acknowledge that they have flaws like everyone else. 

Kind leaders have gratitude. They express it whenever there is a chance. That makes followers put faith in them. Gratitude is also at the heart of servant-leadership. The servant leadership style is based on the idea that leaders prioritize serving the greater good. Leaders with this style serve their team and organization first. They don't prioritize their own objectives. 

Employees in a servant leadership environment are more likely to feel that their voices are heard. Employees should appreciate their employers for their jobs and for opportunities they get to grow through their jobs.

Kindness also means having a warm behaviour, in both verbal and nonverbal ways. Every act of kindness you show can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Living out kindness on a daily basis takes practice, but leads to a lifestyle and mindset shift that implores us to meet the world and each other with greater empathy and justice. When such people become leaders, their teams become the best teams in the world.

Kindness is followed by integrity. A message is only as reliable as the source, and that makes credibility a central component of leadership integrity. You won’t follow a message if you don’t believe in the speaker. Credible leaders are those with great moral conviction and high ethical standards. Integrity is essential for any leader because it is the foundation for earning and maintaining trust with followers. In simple terms, Integrity means doing the right thing, even when nobody is watching. Kindness and compassion help leaders win trust of followers.

Kindness in leadership brings numerous benefits that can positively impact an organization and its people. Leaders who are kind create an environment where employees feel appreciated and connected, leading to improved performance. Kindness fosters trust between leaders and their teams, which encourages open communication and connection, optimizing performance. A compassionate leadership style can improve mood and morale among employees, reducing stress and anxiety. When leaders are kind, it encourages increased collaboration and innovation within the team. Acts of kindness in the workplace can lead to a culture of generosity, where kindness is paid forward, enhancing the overall work environment. Kind leaders tend to coach with the goals and aspirations of their team in mind, leading to more personalized and effective development. Generosity, a component of kindness, involves giving time, expertise, and insights, which can be incredibly beneficial for the growth of team members. 

Incorporating kindness into leadership isn’t just about being nice; it’s about being strategic in building a supportive, collaborative, and high-performing team. Kind leaders act with the best interests of themselves, others, and the organization, setting clear expectations and treating staff equally, which is essential for leadership success.

"No war and anger was ever won, put out the fire before igniting. Next time you're leading a team, please, win them with kindness"