Leadership Viewpoint

Kindness is a leadership trait that is rarely discussed in business circles. Yet, as I reflect upon the best leaders I have known, they have each developed an instinct for the judicious use of kindness in their repertoire. It is largely unclear to me whether kindness is a natural or learned skill. Certainly I have never heard of a training program for it. I suspect, however, that our parents’ behaviors teach it to us to a great degree.

It comes to mind in particular this morning as I reflect on my only meeting with the late President Ford, whose funeral services are televised live as I write. He was to be the keynote speaker at a large sales meeting, and was surrounded by a number of secret service personnel. As senior managers for the organization, a few colleagues and I were to have our photo taken with him. He had clearly been jostled from one place to another and from one photo to another. He certainly had every reason to be brusque with us, as we were nervously trying to handle the intimidating situation. Instead, he took us under his wing and made us comfortable, leaving me to reflect years later that this was a truly nice man.

The smaller leaders that I have known, including myself on occasion, have exhibited impatience and sharpness at such moments. In retrospect, it seems that our focus is on ourselves, rather than on others, and we ensure that others know it through our actions. The great leaders, however, exhibit kindness and are remembered warmly, even many years later. I write this as a glad memory of a great man and as a reminder to myself to learn from his example. Like much of the country, I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. He has surely left a huge imprint on their lives.

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