How Kindness Makes a Difference for Nonprofit Leaders

One of the last qualities often associated with leadership is kindness. Kindness is an essential trait for leaders and especially when dealing with nonprofit organizations. Leaders need to focus on the needs of others and moving the organization forward. Kindness is one of the most effective tools

Leadership in nonprofit organizations always requires a different style when dealing with people. Most nonprofit organizations are relationship driven. This means that relationships are held in high regard both for the people and for the leaders. Relationships are often the backbone of nonprofit organizations. These organizations thrive on the ability to both build and maintain solid relationships. Since relationships are so vital to the organization, they must also be vital to the leader.

Remember nonprofits are normally volunteer driven and people follow leaders because they want to not because they have to. Leaders need to approach people with a kind spirit because anything else does not seem to work. Being kind does not mean that the issues are ignored or that behavior is not confronted. Kindness means that confrontation is handled in a delicate manner.

Defining kindness
How do we define the understanding of kindness? Kindness means to be good, useful and helpful, considerate and gracious in all situations regardless of circumstances. The true nature of kindness is indeed a huge task but one that is worth the effort. Kindness has a greater ability to influence people than anything else a leader of nonprofit organizations can do.

Kindness reveals commitment
Kindness reveals the commitment level of the leader. If the leader is not willing to show kindness to people within the organization, they are not committed to its success. The reality is the nonprofit organizations need people to keep them moving with volunteers and with money. There will be times when kindness is not enough and people will still leave the organization. The leader needs to show kindness and respect even to those who create difficulties.

Kindness reveals the depth of spirit
Sometimes leaders are required to go the extra mile with people. There will always be extra rewards when the leader goes the extra mile. People will not only remember the attitude and work of the leader but they will also remember how they were treated by the leader. The leader also sets an example to show others in the organization.

Leaders need to remember that when there is a problem caused by people within the organization, those uninvolved are watching. If the leader treats the trouble makers badly, it will be known by the entire organization. There are times when leaders need to focus on the needs of the people and the organization over personal desires.

Kindness reveals the true nature of the leader
There is nothing like kindness to reveal the true nature of the leader. Nonprofit organizations often are driven to help meet the needs of others. There is no way for leaders to make a difference if they are unwilling to show kindness to those involved with the organization and those benefitting from the organization. Leaders need to go above and beyond the level of their responsibilities.

Acting in kindness will help leaders reach a new level in their effectiveness and allow them to truly make a difference. Kindness has the power to change our world, one person at a time, one step at a time with one act at a time. The question for leaders is simple: will they show kindness and make a difference?

Application area
A good question can be a powerful thing in the life of a leader. Questions probe the surface and uncover areas where leaders need to grow and develop. The following are a series of application questions to help leaders apply some of the lessons found above on kindness.

1. How can a leader show more kindness to those within their organizations?
2. How has kindness impacted you as a leader?
3. What is the impact of kindness on personal leadership?
4. How can leaders still balance kindness with the need to be firm?
5. What three areas can you show kindness to the people in your organization?
6. Who has benefited from your kindness? Who has suffered because of your lack of kindness?