Leading with Kindness: How Good People Consistently Get Superior Results » (1st Edition)

William F. Baker (New York, NY) is Chief Executive Officer of Educational Broad­casting Corp (Thirteen/WNET and WL1W21). He is Executive in Residence at Columbia University Business School, and University Professor at Fordham.

Michael O'Malley (Hamden, CT) is Executive Editor for Business, Economics, and Law at Yale University Press, and adjunct professor at Columbia University Business School.

Advance praise for Leading with Kindness:

“Familiar notions about ‘leadership’ and ‘kindness’ are unseated when the terms are redefined by two savvy observers, doctors Bill Baker and Michael O’Malley. Then, with help from a roster of superachievers, Baker and O’Malley do a captivating mash-up, creating a timely concept sure to motivate any ambitious reader who really wants to ‘make things happen.’” — Charles Dolan, Chairman, Cablevision Systems

“Kindness, as the authors define it, is a sign of strength, and every organization could use more of it. This book is a thought-provoking guide for leaders, and aspiring leaders, who want to stand out from the crowd and achieve extraordinary things.” — Anne Fisher, Fortune magazine and CNNMoney.com “Ask Annie” workplace columnist

“The American workplace would be a lot more productive, and fun, if only man­agers would follow the advice of this book. Let’s hope they do. Baker and O’Malley show us through numerous examples that kindness brings out the best in workers and is the key characteristic of great leaders.” — Susie Gharib, Anchor, PBS-TV’s Nightly Business Report

“Baker and O’Malley transcend the muscular clichés of the endless sports manuals on leadership and vanity reflections of egomaniacal executives to reveal genuinely strong leaders whose success is anchored in their integrity, credibility, vision, insight, inclusion, and fairness. There are no coercive, pampered bullies in this book. I know most of the leaders profiled in this book firsthand and find this book to be accurate and an indisputable reminder that good guys can finish first.” — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, author of Firing Back and the Senior Associate Dean and Lester Crown Professor of Management, Yale School of Management

Publishers Weekly

Say "boss" and many people think of Donald Trump throwing his weight around on The Apprentice. But is that the most effective style of leadership? Not necessarily, argue Baker and O'Malley, who posit that successful leaders accomplish more with kindness and empathy than with aggression. According to the authors, true kindness is not to be confused with weakness, indulgence or mere likability; being genuinely kind means clearly communicating expectations and goals, pushing colleagues to improve and excel and encouraging them to try out things they are uncertain they will like. The book details the hallmarks of successful and kind leaders: compassion, integrity, gratitude, authenticity, humility, honor and the importance of maintaining credibility with one's employees and clients. While the authors' emphasis on honesty and mentorship is incontrovertibly well-intentioned, the paucity of practical advice and the dry presentation are more suited to an academic article, rather than an entire book. Readers looking for a helpful guide will be inspired but ultimately disappointed. (Aug.)

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Ch. 1 What kind leaders do 11

Ch. 2 Who kind leaders are 37

Ch. 3 Expectations matter 77

Ch. 4 The truth matters 119

Ch. 5 Growth matters 155

Ch. 6 Preparing the next generation of leaders 193

Appendix 217

Index 229