Kindness at work is more than being nice—it’s a key driver for engagement, retention, and positive culture. I had the privilege of sitting down with Linda Cohen, the “Kindness Catalyst,” for a conversation on this topic. Linda has been a guest on the podcast a few times, and her insights never disappoint. This time, we dug into the ripple effects of kindness at work and how organizations can create a culture that fosters empathy and compassion.
The Journey to Workplace Kindness
Linda’s journey into kindness started with a personal story. In 2006, she lost her father to lung cancer. During the last months of his life, Linda completed 1,000 acts of kindness, or “mitzvahs,” in his honor. “A mitzvah in Judaism is a good deed or an act of kindness,” Linda explained. This personal project turned into a blog, which later became her first book, 1,000 Mitzvahs: How Small Acts of Kindness Can Heal, Inspire, and Change Your Life. Since then, Linda’s career has evolved into helping organizations transform their workplace cultures through kindness.
The Business Case for Kindness
When asked how kindness impacts workplace culture, Linda shared that kindness isn’t just a feel-good concept—it’s smart business. “Staffing issues are a big piece of this,” she explained. Employees are more likely to stay with companies where they feel seen, valued, and respected by their managers. “People quit jobs because they don’t feel like they get enough kindness or recognition,” Linda noted.
Kindness plays a significant role in employee retention. Workers will often follow a great manager to another company or quit because they feel undervalued. Linda believes communication, empathy, and recognition are crucial elements of workplace kindness. “Recognition is huge; even the smallest specific recognition can have a lasting impact. Employees remember these things years later,” she said.
Small Acts, Big Ripple Effect
One of Linda’s key messages is that kindness creates a ripple effect. You might not always see it, but small actions can lead to significant positive outcomes over time. She shared a touching story about a manager who gave a young employee a plane ticket to visit her family during the holidays. Fifteen years later, that employee still remembered the act of kindness. “It’s a memory that stays with people,” Linda said.
Simple gestures can have a lasting impact, like genuinely listening to someone or recognizing their contribution and efforts. As Linda said, “You can’t underestimate the power of kindness.”
Actionable Tips for Leaders
So, how can organizations start to cultivate a culture of kindness? Linda shared some easy, actionable steps:
- Listen more: “Listening is a huge one,” Linda stressed. Employees want to feel heard. Make it a habit to ask your team for input, and when they speak up, take action.
- Be specific with recognition: A general “good job” isn’t enough. Call out particular actions or behaviors that made a difference. This makes recognition feel more genuine and impactful.
- Create a culture of kindness: Linda shared how some organizations even incorporate kindness into their onboarding processes with kindness training or videos. “It sets the tone that this is a place where kindness matters,” she explained.
Linda also encouraged leaders to be direct and compassionate in their communication. “Direct communication is kind,” she said. Whether it’s providing feedback or navigating tough conversations, leading with empathy and honesty fosters trust.
“Direct communication is kind.” – Linda Cohen
Building a Better Pie
One of the most refreshing ideas Linda shared was about collaboration over competition. She’s part of a global mastermind group of women working in the kindness space. They support each other and share resources rather than competing for the same opportunities. “There’s enough of the pie to go around,” she said. This approach to collaboration, rather than competition, could be a game-changer for instilling kindness in many industries.
The Takeaway
Kindness at work isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a critical part of creating a healthy, thriving workplace. It builds loyalty, fosters engagement, and can make a lasting impact on both employees and customers. As Linda said, “We’re meant to live this life together. When you share a burden, it becomes lighter.”
Leaders are responsible for modeling kindness and creating environments where it can flourish. Whether through listening, recognizing, or simply being present, small acts of kindness can lead to significant cultural shifts.
Are you interested in hearing more from Linda Cohen?
Check out her website or LinkedIn for upcoming programs, including her “Kindness Essentials” and emerging leadership workshops. It’s a step toward building a culture that thrives on empathy, compassion, and, yes—kindness.