How A Story About An Unexpected Landing Can Help Your Career Take Flight


Last week I was lucky enough to attend a performance of Come From Away, a musical based on the true story of the 7,000 stranded 9/11 passengers and the Newfoundland town that welcomed them.

I say lucky because the overwhelming feeling I had leaving the theater was a renewed hope in humanity. Though that may sound a bit dramatic (no pun intended), I assure you that every audience member was profoundly moved by the tale's simple but impactful message about the power of human kindness in the darkest of times.

One of the reasons the show was so appealing was that despite facing unfortunate and awful circumstances, people from all walks of life found a way to step up to help each other and stand out for the positive. As business leaders, we could learn a great deal from this practice, which not only assists those around us but also helps our careers take flight.

Here are three ways you can incorporate kindness into your professional world:

1. Realize that kindness does not equal weakness

Some people mistakenly believe that kindness is reserved for the meek and mild-mannered, and has no place in business. Instead, they chose to lead by fear, which is alienating and counterproductive and leaves team members feeling disconnected and guarded.

The finest leaders I know embrace kindness as a strength, not a weakness. And make no mistake, it takes strength to lead with kindness. Weak people are those who lose control of their emotions and yell. They threaten and belittle others in an attempt to maintain control. By contrast, when you lead with kindness, you set a positive tone and create a culture that's more welcoming and tolerant, and open to differing points of view, new ideas, and new people. Kindness bridges gaps and encourages open dialogue and collaboration. Kindness fosters more kindness and causes a beautiful ripple effect.

2. Incorporate a "Kindness First" practice

Each day in your To Do list, before you do anything else, take at least one action that has no other purpose other than to be kind to another person. Think: How can I help someone today? This might include writing a handwritten note of thanks to a partner, making an introduction between two people who have mutual interests or offering your full and undivided attention to listen to a colleague. Small gestures performed regularly—and at unexpected times—helps you better connect with others, and makes you feel great. When you're generous with your time and goodwill, you demonstrate your interest in the wellbeing of others and engrain yourself as a thoughtful person who values relationships over transactions.

3. Stand out for the positive in a proactive and vocal way

Today more than ever, the world seems increasingly divisive. We desperately need positive role models who know how to lead with respect and kindness. Those who are aware that our differences make us stronger, not weaker, and focus on finding ways to celebrate our commonalities. As a business leader, you have an opportunity to stand out for the positive proactively and vocally through your social media posts, your company's values statement, in employee communications, and the way in which you tell your own story. When you use kindness to share your core beliefs, ideas, and insights, you unite and inspire people and help shift them towards—and keep them focused on—the positive.

As the residents of a small Newfoundland town showed the world, kindness matters and is a conscious choice; choose wisely.


I'm a social media ghostwriter who helps leaders communicate and connect better. As a former branding consultant, my role is to make it easier for my clients to share t