#47 The Case for Kindness
Welcome to the 3x5 leadership podcast―a show dedicated to making more intentional leaders regardless of role, rank, or responsibility because we believe that better leaders and build a better world. The reality is, however, that you cannot successfully and sustainably pour into others from an empty cup. So, how do you keep your cup full as a leader? This show aims to help by filling your cup with simple, practical strategies so you can live, lead, and learn more intentionally.
You can listen to the episode on Apple and Spotify!
You’ve heard us say this across the 3x5 Leadership platform: No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care. Put into a single word, we’d call that kindness. But why focus on something that feels like a soft skill when you could be improving efficiency, refining management practices, or updating mission and vision statements?
Because most people don’t fully hear—or believe—what you have to offer unless they know it’s for their benefit. At our core, we all want to feel seen, valued, and heard, and our first instinct usually isn’t to wonder whether the person speaking to us feels the same way.
In this episode, we make the case for kindness by clarifying what kindness is—and what it is not—and by sharing simple ways you can show greater compassion toward the people on your team, including:
- Asking how someone is doing before asking them to do something
- Truly listening and remembering what matters to people
- Showing gratitude in small but meaningful ways
Kindness may not top your leadership development goals this year, but we believe it’s foundational to how we interact with others and to the meaning we all draw from the time we spend at work. When we bring more compassion into the workplace, we create a more meaningful impact—not just on performance, but on the lives and careers of the people around us.
Related Episodes
Interested in learning more? Check out these related 3x5 Leadership podcast episodes.
- #16 How to Lead with Gratitude This Year
- #34 Seeing Candor Differently: Turning Toward People’s Bids for Connection
- #37 Leadership Worth Remembering: 10 Types of Moments the Leaders We Remember Create
Things Referenced in the Episode
- Interactional Justice, Work and Family Researchers Network
- Books by Adam Grant, Give and Take and Think Again
- Book by Daniel Coyle, The Culture Code
- Book by Kim Scott, Radical Candor
Discover More
- Like and Review the Show! If you found this episode valuable, we invite you to give the show a like and review. It builds our credibility, helping others discover the show and know it’s worth their time.
- Join Our Email List. When you do, you’ll get free, weekly insights sent straight to your inbox to help fill your cup as a leader. Subscribe and learn more at the Welcome page.
- Introducing our Leadership University coming in a few months! If you’re interested, you can learn more and sign up to be the first to know when it’s ready at our Leadership University page.
Until next episode, friends, take care and lead well!
