The Stealth Trait of Real Leaders

Leadership and kindness

Our digital marketing firm was retained to update content and webpage design. Part of our service is to produce two ninety second videos. We don’t script these videos. Instead, we give the advisors talking points and ask them to respond to questions posed by the videographer.

The partners in these firms are almost always men.

One of the questions we ask them is: “Tell us something about yourself your colleagues may not know.”

Here’s what we’ve found.

The most successful advisors describe events that illustrate kindness and compassion. We’ve heard stories about adoptions of orphans from impoverished countries, raising funds to provide shoes to underprivileged children, and mentoring abused and neglected children.

The practice of kindness

My wife and I recently spent a week-end in New York City. After a late dinner, we called an Uber car to take us back to the hotel. As we were waiting for the car, I noticed an elderly woman trying to flag a taxi while holding on to her walker. She was alone and clearly struggling.

Both my wife and I went over to her. We flagged a taxi, helped her get into it, folded her walker and placed it in the taxi. She thanked us profusely.

We had a wonderful time in New York, as we always do. Yet, when we talk about that weekend, we always discuss that woman. The satisfaction we got from helping her is the memory that has stayed with us.

I had a similar experience in my condominium building. A resident recently diagnosed with early stage Alzheimer’s was wandering around the lobby. When he saw me, he plaintively asked if I could direct him to the mail room. I escorted him there, helped him locate his mail box and took him back to his unit.

I felt sad for him and grateful not to be in his state. I also recognized how good it felt to help him and make his life a little easier.

In my experience with both genders, there’s a positive relationship between kindness and success.

If that’s not enough to motivate you to be kinder, consider this:

Studies demonstrate being kind to others boosts your level of happiness.

Kindness really is magic.

Dan Solin is a New York Times best-selling author of the Smartest series of books. His latest book is The Smartest Sales Book You'll Ever Read. His sales coaching practice includes helping advisors convert prospects into clients and generating leads through videos and other elements of marketing. Dan is not affiliated with any advisory firm.

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