Is kindness in leadership outdated?

The controversial tweets of actress Karla Sofia Gascón led to her ostracism from the industry, and the film she starred in, Emilia Pérez—which had been the frontrunner in all bets until then—was left out of the Oscars race. At the 2025 gala in Los Angeles, the actress did not walk the red carpet and sat apart from the rest of the team. Public opinion heavily criticized her for weeks due to her statements on social media. 

What she wrote was a regrettable mistake, but what followed was a storm that affected both her career and a great film. That is why the gesture made by the gala’s host, Conan O’Brien, carried special significance. He joked about Karla and the expletives her publicist must have uttered upon seeing her tweets, then tilted his head and said, “Karla is here tonight, yeah, yeah,” while looking at her and applauding. 

Kindness is not just superficial courtesy; it’s about showing your ability to empathize with others

It was a beautiful gesture, as if he were telling the audience, “Yes, she made a mistake, but she has paid enough—why not be a little kind?” Especially on a night filled with glamour, smiles, and happiness, what does it cost to show courtesy, even a bit of affection, to someone who is alone? 

Kindness is not a sign of weakness

Kindness may seem like an outdated concept or a sign of weakness in the face of others’ flaws. We see political and business leaders speak with such arrogance, with so little respect for others, and with so little kindness or interest in what their opponents think and feel, that we begin to wonder whether a leader must inherently be rude, impose their views, insult opponents, and use cutting words without considering the pain they may cause. 

In Spain’s recent political landscape, this happens continuously. Both sides are eager to hit where it hurts the most, even though everyone has open wounds. It is crucial to call out what an opponent does wrong—that is the essence of opposition—but considering the tone they use, the gestures they make, the expressions they wear, and the words they choose, it is fair to ask whether they have abandoned any attempt at constructive dialogue. 

In the workplace, kindness enhances employees’ emotional well-being and reduces stress

In a recent interview following the remarks Elon Musk made about British Minister Jess Philips—calling her a “disgraceful smear” and a “rape genocide apologist”—she did not hide her pain. Even though those words were untrue and baseless, they hurt her. Words can wound. Words matter. 

Such behavior sends a negative message about how we should treat one another. Is kindness truly outdated? Just look at how the audience at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles reacted when O’Brien mentioned Gascón—they responded by applauding warmly, as if sighing with relief. Amid so much tension, they welcomed that kind gesture. 

The benefits of kind leadership

I believe these incidents of unkindness serve as a reminder of the importance of cultivating kindness in our daily lives. People long for leaders to show kindness, to consider how others feel before acting, and to carefully choose their words. Kindness remains a cornerstone for building healthy relationships and fairer societies. It is not just superficial courtesy; it is about showing your ability to empathize with others. 

Let’s think about all the people we encounter daily and the acts of kindness we receive and give—how do they make us feel? Kindness is characterized by being: 

• Inspiring and contagious. It can have a ripple effect—seeing others act kindly inspires us to do the same. 
• Constructive. It is easier to resolve conflicts with kindness than with hostility. 
• Free and unlimited. It is not a scarce resource; it can spread without fear of depletion. 

In the business world, focusing on organizational efficiency, kindness can be highly beneficial, as it enhances employees’ emotional well-being and consequently reduces stress. This, in turn, boosts efficiency and productivity. Thus, it is a strategic resource that no business leader should overlook.