Hey Friend,

As a leader, do you ever find yourself caught in the delicate balance between kindness and strength? You want to be empathetic and supportive, yet you fear that too much kindness may be mistaken for weakness. What I've learnt is that true leadership lies in mastering both.

Let me share a story about my nine-year-old daughter, Eva. She’s the kindest soul I know—always ready to help, offering comfort when someone’s hurt, and sharing whatever she has. Recently, though, a friend started taking advantage of her generosity. This so-called friend began leaving mean-spirited notes and asking Eva to do tasks she should have been doing herself.

My first instinct was to tell Eva to push back—maybe even be a little mean herself to teach her friend a lesson. Fortunately I resisted the temptation (which was to revert back to my own nine-year old self). Instead, I tapped into the more emotionally aware version of myself. I sat down with Eva and talked about the value of kindness and the importance of boundaries in any healthy relationship.

We discussed the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships. Healthy relationships are built on kindness, support, open communication, and reciprocity, while unhealthy ones are filled with judgment, insults, and all take with no give. Eva learned how to walk away from negativity, decline tasks that weren’t hers to do, and still be kind without compromising her strength. The experience has made her stronger.

So, how does this apply to leadership? Often, we fall into the same trap—sacrificing kindness for strength or vice versa. But the truth is, you don’t have to choose. The best leaders know how to be kind and strong, setting boundaries while keeping an open heart.

If this resonates with you and you're ready to lead with both kindness and strength, let’s chat. I can help you build those healthier leadership relationships.

Be kind, stay strong!

Shelley