New year, Kinder Leadership: How small changes make big impacts

As 2026 unfolds, leaders should be asking themselves: How do we build a workplace that performs better than last year, without sacrificing our people?

The answer isn’t:

·      More pressure

·      Tougher conversations

·      Bigger targets

·      Longer hours

It is something far simpler, with no material cost: Kindness.

Kindness has had a makeover in the last few years. Archaically it has been looked upon as being soft or weak, but that is simply a lack of understanding of what kindness really is.

Kindness is a strategic business tool, when used deliberately and intentionally it can be embedded into organisational culture to:

·      Increase engagement

·      Improve productivity

·      Retain your talent

·      Create stronger teams

·      Build a more resilient workforce

For a long time, kindness has been considered the ‘optional extra’ of leadership playing second fiddle to fear and pressure. But organisations such as Deloitte have ploughed endless research into understanding what kindness can really give you in business.

Their research and lived experience have consistently shown that when people feel respected, valued and psychologically safe, they:

·      Are more engaged with their work

·      Collaborate more effectively

·      Stay longer with their organisations

·      Perform better when there is pressure

·      Innovation grows, as does accountability and ownership

This is because kindness builds trust.

Trust is the foundation of high-performing teams.

Leading with kindness and humility raises standards because people feel supported enough to meet them.

Reframing kind leadership

A sound understanding of what kindness is will enable you to reframe it and use it as a tool.

Kindness isn’t about telling people that you like their new hair style or new shoes. It isn’t about avoiding difficult conversations or not giving feedback. You do not need to be endlessly agreeable to be kind.

Kindness in leadership is about HOW it shows up every day, like this:

·      Clarity alongside compassion

·      Accountability, delivered with respect

·      High expectations coupled with genuine support

Being intentional and thoughtful is deeply effective.

You can start with these practical steps:

Listen to understand, not just to respond

• Listen fully before responding

• Ask one genuine follow-up question

• Reflect back what you’ve heard

When people feel truly heard, they’re more open, more honest, and more invested.

Normalise appreciation

Recognition doesn’t need to be formal or infrequent to be meaningful.

• Acknowledge effort, not just outcomes

• Be specific about what you value

• Say thank you — often and sincerely

Appreciation reinforces behaviours you want to see again, while strengthening motivation and morale.

Lead with clarity and care

Unclear expectations create anxiety. Feedback delivered without care creates defensiveness. Kind leadership balances both.

• Set expectations clearly

• Address issues early, calmly and respectfully

• Separate the person from the behaviour

When people feel safe to learn and improve, growth follows naturally.

The result of these simple practices is a complete ripple effect outward.

Without spending a penny from your bottom line, your teams are now more connected and supporting the same big picture. Conversations are more open, meaning that collaboration and innovation can ignite possibilities. Challenges are easier to navigate as psychological safety has been created, and trust is the undercurrent of the organisation.

How can Kiltti support your kind leadership goals in 2026?

You can improve the collaboration and team structure with our Comprehensive Communication course. Learning how to communicate in a better way not only allows your message to be delivered, but it supports your team to recognise avenues to more effectively communicate with your clients, stakeholders or partners.

You can get your kind leadership culture off to a flying start with our workshop: Embracing Kind Leadership. This can be delivered online, or in person depending on your needs.

Reach out to us today and let us help you build a better workplace for 2026 and beyond.