The Power of Practical Kindness in Leadership, According to Florence Divet ☀️

In a recent LinkedIn post, Florence Divet ☀️ explores the crucial, yet often overlooked, skill of practical kindness in professional environments. The post challenges the common tendency to judge colleagues’ behavior without understanding the full context of their personal lives, emphasizing that employees bring their entire selves, including their struggles, to work.

Florence Divet ☀️ highlights the unseen burdens individuals may carry, stating:

“You seriously have no idea what people are dealing with in their personal life. None.”

The insights shared by Florence Divet ☀️ suggest that leaders often forget that the “home self” is inseparable from the professional one. This perspective underscores the importance of empathy and understanding in leadership.

Understanding the Unseen Burdens

Florence Divet ☀️ argues that the professional world rarely sees the full picture of an individual’s life. The post uses relatable scenarios to illustrate this point:

• The colleague who appears irritable might be dealing with a family health crisis.
• An employee seeming distracted could be navigating personal challenges like a divorce while managing work responsibilities.
• A team member exhibiting low motivation might be experiencing burnout that they haven’t yet fully recognized.

Florence Divet ☀️ emphasizes that leaders must recognize that people do not leave their personal lives at the office door, but rather bring their complex realities with them.

“People don’t leave their ‘home self’ at the office door. They bring the whole messy, beautiful, complicated suitcase with them. And you don’t get to see 90% of what’s inside.”

Kindness as a Performance Multiplier

According to Florence Divet ☀️, the most effective leaders cultivate a specific, practical form of kindness. This is not a superficial gesture but a strategic approach that acknowledges the unseen struggles of team members. Florence Divet ☀️ defines this skill as:

“I don’t know what you’re carrying, and you don’t have to tell me. Just know I’m here, and if there’s something I can do to take weight off your shoulders, say the word.”

Florence Divet ☀️ contends that this form of kindness is far from a mere ‘nice-to-have’; it is a fundamental driver of performance. As Florence Divet ☀️ notes, when employees feel safe and seen, their ability to think clearly, collaborate effectively, and go the extra mile is significantly enhanced.

Practical Applications of Kindness

The post provides actionable examples of how to implement this practical kindness in everyday workplace interactions:

• Responding to a colleague’s sharp tone: Instead of taking it personally, Florence Divet ☀️ suggests a gentle inquiry like, “Hey… that didn’t sound like you. Everything alright?” This approach assumes positive intent and offers support.
• Addressing perceived distraction: Florence Divet ☀️ advises against judging a team member’s lack of focus. Instead, leaders can create space by asking, “Is now even a good time for this conversation?”
• Interacting with unmotivated individuals: Florence Divet ☀️ advocates for a human check-in over a lecture, proposing questions like, “I’m noticing your energy’s low lately. What’s happening?” This shifts the focus from criticism to curiosity.
• Handling mistakes: Florence Divet ☀️ encourages leaders to avoid immediate blame and instead ask, “What got in the way?” This helps uncover underlying issues rather than assigning fault.

Florence Divet ☀️ concludes by reiterating that kindness in leadership is not about being soft but about possessing the skill to remain human and empathetic amidst workplace pressures. The post suggests that extending kindness can be a profound source of support for individuals, potentially being the most positive interaction they have all day.