Boris Groysberg teaches leadership, organizational behavior, and management at Harvard Business School. His research and experience have led him to conclude that in times of uncertainty, traditional management approaches fall short. Kindness, he says, is a powerful and essential leadership strategy—one that supports emotional well-being and sustains engagement when times are tough.

Groysberg points out that acts of kindness—such as compassionate listening and reassurance—directly improve morale, reduce stress, lessen absenteeism, and even enhance employees’ physical health. Kindness strengthens loyalty and retention while lowering burnout and turnover.

Drawing on evidence from Gallup, the Mayo Clinic, Psychology Today, numerous business case studies, and even Jacinda Ardern, Groysberg demonstrates that kind leadership drives engagement, performance, and overall well-being. He concludes that kindness, paired with empathy and emotional intelligence, has become the most vital “soft skill” in modern leadership.

‍"It's important to remember that kindness is contagious as well as calming. ...According to the Mayo Clinic, acts of kindness activate the part of our brain that makes us feel pleasure and 'releases t hormone oxytocin that helps modulate social interactions and emotion. Being kind is good for our own and our employees' mental health.' And that translates to improved morale and performance."

‍‍ARTICLE: Good Leadership Is an Act of Kindness