Section 9.12 - Kindness

Kindness

I believe it is appropriate that I end my list of desirable leadership traits with kindness. This last leadership trait ties closely with my core principle, “Leadership is Love in Action”.   In my life, I have found that more leaders have difficulty with the kindness part of leadership than they do with being an enforcer of the rules or an assigner of tasks.   We would all do well to remember this poem.

                I have wept in the night
                For the shortness of sight
                That to somebody’s need made me blind;
                But I never have yet
                Felt a tinge of regret
                For being a little too kind.
                Author unknown, in Richard L. Evans, “The Quality of Kindness,” Improvement Era, May 1960, 340      

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin taught:

Kindness is the essence of greatness and the fundamental characteristic of the noblest men and women I have known.
Kindness is a passport that opens doors and fashions friends. It softens hearts and molds relationships that can last lifetimes.
Kindness is the essence of a celestial life.
Kindness is how a Christlike person treats others.
Kindness should permeate all of our words and actions at work, at school, at church, and especially in our homes.
(Jospeh B. Wirthlin,”The Virtue of Kindness”, April 2005 General Conference)

We need to remember that our team members are children of our Heavenly Father.  President Thomas S. Monson exemplifies this principle better than anyone.  He said:

"May we begin now, this very day, to express love to all of God’s children, whether they be our family members, our friends, mere acquaintances, or total strangers. As we arise each morning, let us determine to respond with love and kindness to whatever might come our way. (Thomas S. Monson, Love-the Essence of the Gospel, April 2014 General Conference) 

Here are a few cross references to consider.

2 Peter 1:7
Colossians 3:12
1 Chronicles 19:2
Proverbs 19:22
Psalms 117:2