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Welcome to the Tuesday Trailblazer, my weekly newsletter delivering actionable insights from my personal experiences and 15+ years in leadership.

Today’s Email:

• Why kindness is a powerful tool in leadership—not a sign of weakness.

• The impact kindness has on team trust, collaboration, and culture.

• Practical ways to lead with kindness without compromising standards.

• How kindness can transform your leadership and your team's results.

I'll be blunt: I used to be a terrible leader and an even worse person. Inconsiderate, ignorant about mental health, and painfully selfish.

My leadership style? A disaster that left a trail of damaged relationships and missed opportunities. I'm certainly not proud of it, however I do believe I wouldn't be blessed with what I have today if not for these parts of my journey.

"You need to earn the right to deliver feedback.
Through building relationships… NOT your title."

I remember the first time I heard this - it hit me hard. This shift towards understanding and valuing people beyond their work output didn't just make me kinder; it made me a more effective leader. Today, I'm sharing some key steps that helped me on my journey towards empathy and kindness, and how they can transform your leadership.

Let's dive into how building genuine connections and valuing people as individuals can revolutionize your leadership style and create a thriving environment for everyone involved.

Let’s clear something up: kindness does not make you weak.

In fact, it’s one of the strongest tools you can have in your leadership toolkit. When you lead with kindness, you build trust, foster collaboration, and create a workplace culture that lifts everyone.

This isn’t just about “being nice”—this is about creating an environment where people feel safe, valued, and empowered to do their best work.

Leadership isn’t about ruling with an iron fist; it’s about inspiring others to follow you because they believe in your vision and feel supported along the way.

When you lead with kindness, you cultivate loyalty, respect, and a team that wants to go the extra mile.

And let's not forget—kindness is contagious.
When you practice it, it spreads throughout your team and beyond.

Many leaders (I WAS one of them) hesitate to lead with kindness because they fear it will make them appear soft or allow standards to slip. They confuse kindness with leniency, thinking that to be a strong leader, they need to be rigid or tough.

The truth?

You can hold high expectations and be kind at the same time. The two aren’t mutually exclusive.

Here’s 3 things I found tough to overcome when I was in that stage;

• Fear of losing authority: Some leaders worry that kindness undermines their authority, but in reality, it strengthens it by building trust.
  

• Thinking kindness equals weakness: Leaders often think they have to choose between kindness and high performance, when in fact, kindness fosters high performance.
  

• Avoiding kindness because of a fast-paced culture: In high-pressure environments, kindness can often feel like it gets in the way of “getting things done.” But it’s exactly in these environments that kindness has the most impact.
  

The Solution: 5 Ways to Lead with Kindness

1. Offer Help

   • Why: When a team member is struggling, stepping in with a helping hand can change everything.

   • How: If you see someone drowning in tasks or dealing with a tough situation, ask, “How can I support you right now?” Small gestures like these go a long way in building loyalty and trust.

     
     

2. Show Appreciation

   • Why: People want to feel valued, and a simple thank you can make all the difference.

   • How: Take a moment to recognise the hard work of your team—whether it’s in a meeting or a quick message. Acknowledgment fuels motivation.

   
   

3. Be Patient

   • Why: Everyone has off days, and showing patience during tough times builds a more resilient team.

   • How: If someone isn’t performing at their usual level, give them the benefit of the doubt. Ask how you can help, rather than jumping straight to frustration.
     
     

4. Listen Actively

   • Why: Listening isn't just about hearing words; it's about understanding what people are really saying.

   • How: When someone speaks, focus fully on them. Ask open-ended questions like, “Tell me more about what’s going on.” Your attention will make them feel valued and heard.
     
     

5. Lead by Example

   • Why: As a leader, your actions set the tone for the entire team. When you choose kindness, your team follows.

   • How: Practice what you preach. Show patience, empathy, and appreciation daily. Your team is watching, and they’ll model their behaviour after yours.

Trailblazer's 4-Day Kindness Challenge: Start Leading with Kindness Today

Day 1: Offer Support

• Find one person on your team who seems overwhelmed and ask how you can help. It doesn’t have to be big—just show you care.

Day 2: Acknowledge Someone's Hard Work

• Send a note or make a point in a meeting to highlight the efforts of someone who’s been going above and beyond.

Day 3: Practice Active Listening

• In every conversation today, focus on listening without interruption. Make it your goal to understand before responding.

Day 4: Lead by Example

• Look for moments to practice kindness throughout your day. Whether it’s showing patience, offering support, or just a kind word, set the tone for your team.

Kindness isn’t just a feel-good tactic—it’s a leadership superpower. It builds trust, inspires collaboration, and creates a culture where people feel safe to be their best.

So if you think kindness makes you soft, think again.
It makes you a stronger, more effective leader.

Be the leader who shows up with kindness, sets the standard, and inspires others to do the same. You’ll be amazed at the impact it has—not just on your team, but on you as well.

Until next Tuesday,

I have built and led teams across 3 successful businesses and have over 15 years of people and business leadership experience.

Over the past 4 years, I have grown my business working with “busy” leaders across multiple industries (retail, hospitality, construction, mining, education) and helped them simplify their leadership.

Igniting their impact in leadership and at home.

Let me share my insights and help you:

• Reclaim your time

• Prioritise your wellbeing

• Achieve work/life harmony

• Improve customer centricity

• Connect & elevate team culture

• Simplify your leadership beyond busy

• Building a bench and plan for your successors

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