The most impactful leaders I know aren’t “nice.”
They’re kind.
That difference might sound small—but it shapes everything from team culture to long-term performance.
I've come to believe these fundamental truths about leadership, which my friend Chris March brilliantly articulated:
1️⃣ 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲-𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝘃𝘀. 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗳𝘂𝗹
→ 𝘕𝘪𝘤𝘦 = pleasant, agreeable, avoids conflict
→ 𝘒𝘪𝘯𝘥 = honest, constructive, willing to challenge
2️⃣ 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁-𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗺 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘃𝘀. 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗴-𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗺 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵
→ 𝘕𝘪𝘤𝘦 leaders smooth things over
→ 𝘒𝘪𝘯𝘥 leaders dig into tough issues to help teams evolve
3️⃣ 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗮𝗹-𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘃𝘀. 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁-𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴
→ 𝘕𝘪𝘤𝘦 leaders aim to be liked
→ 𝘒𝘪𝘯𝘥 leaders earn trust by being consistent and fair
4️⃣ 𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘃𝘀. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲
→ 𝘕𝘪𝘤𝘦 avoids confrontation
→ 𝘒𝘪𝘯𝘥 steps into discomfort—with empathy
I’ve seen this firsthand: Kindness isn’t always easy—but it’s what builds lasting trust and high-performing teams.
Make no mistake—choosing kindness over niceness will make some people uncomfortable.
You’ll be called “harsh” or “difficult” by those who prefer comforting lies over uncomfortable truths.
But the teams, businesses, and lives you transform will be worth every moment of that discomfort.
Are you still confusing niceness with kindness in your own leadership?
🔔 Give my good friend Chris March a follow for daily leadership and personal growth insights.
