THE EVOLUTION

The Kindness Initiative began as a chance to reflect on how I was leading my team. I was at a place where my team was solid. We were united and curious and open, and it was incredible. But when I first started hiring and growing my team, not with these superstars, I’m talking before before, it was rough. So how did I get to here? What was it that actually was making a difference? So I started writing. 

The first iteration was akin to Jerry Maguire writing his manifesto. I had more to say than I realized. I was drawing connections to parenting books and how we’re trained to treat customers. I even sprinkled in some Disney villain references…because nothing captures generational wealth and boredom like a jobless villain with well paid henchman (it made sense contextually, I promise). No stone was unturned, I touched on everything from foundation building to conflict resolution, advocacy to self care. I gave it to a brilliant copywriter and then I didn’t touch it. For months. 

I’d been using the principles from the manifesto quietly when I was helping other leaders navigate team dynamics and managing up, and it was effective. There was an emotional response I hadn’t anticipated. Still, I didn’t have the pull to release it into the universe. At least not in it’s current state.  

About six months later I stepped outside of my comfort zone and began joining the conversation. I talked about how I led, and what I’ve built and people were receptive. Suddenly, conversations were coming to me, as opposed to me seeking them out. I was being asked to coffee chats, invited to panels, approached for conferences and became a repeat guest on more than one podcast. I had followers on LinkedIn and strangers with fancy titles from large corporations were sending me messages praising my boldness. I was still talking about The Kindness Initiative, but more abstractly.

Reading and listening to the interviews, I started to draw connections and uncovered the “why” in every single process, policy and system I was describing. The missing piece hit me right in the face, how you communicate with your team and commit to being genuinely curious will set the tone for the space you’re creating. But your actions and what you don’t say, that’s the differentiator between a boss and a leader. 

I allowed myself to think bigger and brainstorm with others in the community. Soon, I knew what needed to happen and the new era began.

Epochal Operations is The Kindness Initiative, and The Kindness Initiative drives Epochal Operations. 

Let us not be naive. Being kind, and saying you lead with kindness will, unfortunately, not get the traction it deserves. It’s a misunderstood word and practice. It’s the results from building systems that are rooted in the pillars of kindness that make waves. You can’t tell people to be kind. Especially when they don’t understand the value of its power.