Kindness

How often do we hear that leaders need to take care of themselves first: get enough sleep, protect your calendar, make time for joy. And that advice isn’t wrong — but what if it’s incomplete?

Psychologist and author Adam Grant recently shared a compelling insight in a social media post:

“Being kind boosts mental health more than seeking joy.”

In other words, self-care feels good — but generosity has a deeper, longer-lasting impact.

The evidence? Simple but powerful: Just three random acts of kindness per week can reduce depression, anxiety, and loneliness.It’s more effective than doing kind things for yourself.

This might feel counterintuitive in a culture that emphasizes wellness through a lens on ‘self’. But Grant’s point is clear: when we shift the spotlight from ourselves to others, we don’t just build better relationships — we build better selves.

Why does this matter for leaders? 

As leaders, we’re often looking for ways to boost morale, deepen engagement, and reduce burnout. The good news? You don’t need a big budget or a corporate initiative to start.

You just need kindness - small, intentional acts of building others up; write a thank you note, send an affirmation email, offer someone your help or support, celebrate some small wins. And don’t stop there - build a culture of kindness. Create spaces where you intentionally model and encourage others to recognize and build others up.

These small, intentional acts not only lift others — they lighten your own load, too. You become the kind of leader people want to follow: not just for your vision, but for how they feel around you.

As Grant puts it:

“Self-care feels good, but generosity builds lasting bonds.”

In a world full of stress, isolation, and chronic distraction, kindness is not soft — it’s strategic. It’s a lever for trust, connection, and team resilience.

So here’s the challenge: Instead of asking, “What can I do to feel better this week?” Try asking, “Who can I do something kind for this week?”

And… how can I create systems and opportunities for kindness to spread outward from everyone in the organization - creating a culture of kindness - that lifts everyone up!