#97: Kindness in the Business World (and Beyond It)
The Underrated Competitive Advantage
👋 Hey, Leo here! Welcome to The Antifragile Leader. Each week, I explain the concepts needed to lead through uncertainty. Subscribe to get every issue in your inbox.
Hey Friends,
Welcome to the 96th edition of my newsletter.
Personal Update
As you can see, I am one day late with this newsletter, mainly because I had a busy week, especially towards the end of it. I’m in the last months of my MBA, and we have a few assignments to turn in, as well as courses every other week. With work, a newborn, and other activities I need to take care of, it is taking a toll on me.
While I consider myself an organized and productive person, there are times when I don’t get it right. So, I need to adapt and move forward.
It’s a busy period, but it should get better in a month or so. We’ll see.
Oh, almost forgot, I am invited to a panel talking about AI and how ready companies are for the wave, so if you are in Bucharest, come say Hi :)
Register here.
Why “kindness” goes a long way
Kindness is rarely mentioned in discussions about leadership, strategy, or success. In a world obsessed with efficiency, competitiveness, and optimization, kindness can seem like a “nice to have” but not essential.
Even more than that, I know people who consider it a flaw.
Yet, the most enduring leaders, businesses, and cultures are built not just on intelligence and execution but on the simple yet profound act of treating people well.
I’ve decided to write about this because I see more and more signs of people being the opposite.
I’ve decided to stay off X (formerly Twitter) for a while because there was too much hate.
It’s coming to LinkedIn too. And all the other social media platforms.
People being rude to each other.
Talking badly about strangers. People who have never met in their lives judge them on a sentence they wrote on the internet.
It’s crazy. And it’s poisoning our minds.
Managers talking about how lazy employees are.
Employees talking badly about companies.
Recruiters disappointed in candidates. Candidates throwing stones at recruiters for ghosting them. And so on.
We, as leaders or future leaders, need to remember to be kind.
What Kindness Is (And What It’s Not)
Kindness in business doesn’t mean being weak. It doesn’t mean avoiding difficult conversations or lowering standards.
It means showing respect, empathy, and fairness—even when making hard decisions. It’s possible to be direct without being cruel and to win without making others lose.
Why Kindness Is Good for Business
Stronger Teams: When leaders treat employees with kindness, it fosters loyalty, engagement, and collaboration. People who feel valued contribute more.
Better Negotiations: Kindness builds trust, and trust leads to better deals and long-term partnerships.
Enhanced Reputation: Customers and clients remember how they were treated. In the long run, businesses known for fairness and care outperform those known for ruthless efficiency.
Resilience in Crisis: Teams built on mutual respect and trust are more likely to rally together in tough times.
Everyday Acts of Kindness in Business
Giving Credit – Recognize and acknowledge the contributions of others. Example: Publicly thanking a colleague in a meeting for their hard work on a project.
Listening More – Sometimes, the kindest thing you can do is make someone feel heard.
Example: Taking the time to truly listen to an employee’s concerns without interrupting or dismissing them.
Offering Help Without Expecting a Return – The best relationships (business or otherwise) thrive on generosity.
Example: Helping a teammate meet a deadline even when it’s not your direct responsibility.
Assuming Positive Intent – Instead of jumping to conclusions, give people the benefit of the doubt.
Example: If an email seems abrupt, assume the sender is busy rather than rude.
Being Transparent – Honesty is a form of kindness, especially in difficult conversations.
Example: Providing clear and constructive feedback instead of vague criticism.
Small Acts of Gratitude – Express appreciation in simple ways.
Example: Sending a thank-you email or leaving a handwritten note for a colleague who went the extra mile.
Checking In – Show you care about people beyond their work tasks.
Example: Asking a coworker how they are doing and genuinely listening to their response.
Kindness Beyond Business
At its core, kindness is about perspective—it’s about seeing others as humans first, not just as employees, customers, or competitors. It’s a principle that extends far beyond business and into every aspect of life.
“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle,”
Ian McLaren
The leaders we admire most aren’t just those who built great companies; they’re the ones who made people’s lives better in the process.
Final Thought
If you think kindness is a liability in business, ask yourself:
Who would you rather work for, buy from, or collaborate with?
The answer to that question reveals why kindness isn’t just an ethical choice—it’s a smart one.
Recommendations:
This article on turning 40 (I have to think of something similar in a few months)
I’ve always been fascinated by the elections of a new pope, and this movie shows the intricacies of the process. I liked Ralph Fiennes’ performance a lot, too.
I’ve said it several times, learning AI now is like learning to use a computer in the 90s. It’s also one of my goals for 2025. Here’s a good video to get you started.
Well, I hope you liked this edition.
Stay Antifragile,
Leo
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Thank you so much for being here!
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Well said, Leo. Kindness is so easy, and so meaningful. I understand an occasional blow up here and there, but it baffles me how people default to cruelty and anger. Even despite everything going on.