On Kindness

In a world that feels increasingly off-center, how do we findour footing? In this episode, global diversity and leadership expert Andrés Tapia joins us to explore the one thing we can always control, ourselves. We dive into the role of character as an anchor in turbulenttimes and why grounding yourself isn’t just good for your well-being, but foundational to effective leadership. Andrés shares how leading with character deepens your roots, helping you withstand “100-mile-an-hour winds”, from rapidchange to uncertainty, and emerge more resilient. We also unpack the evolving dynamics of today’s workplace,especially how to work with and lead Gen Z. Andrés offers practical insights into how and why this generation operates differently, and what it looks like to collaborate with people who see the world through a different lens. If you’re looking to lead with steadiness, connect across differences, and cultivate resilience in a wobbly world, this episode is for you.

What does it mean to truly define kindness, not just asan action, but as a feeling?In this episode of On Kindness, Julia Mize, a brand strategist and leadership advisor, joins Nicole to explore kindness as an essential feeling that cultivates welcome, clarity, and psychological safety in both personal and professional environments. Julia shares her insights from three decades in the corporate world, where she has managed large organizations and led with a philosophy that champions trust, consistency, and clear communication. She delves into the critical role of accountability in nurturing a kind culture, distinguishing it from mere "niceness" and highlighting how difficult conversations, approached with empathy and clarity, build respect and foster thriving teams. This conversation offers invaluable lessons on how leading with kindness can lead to better results, healthier relationships, and a profound sense of well-being, both at work and at home.

How can we move from understanding kindness to actually practicing it in our daily lives and work?In this episode of On Kindness, Balaji Venkatraman, a product management and marketing leader known for driving innovation and transformation, joins to explore how the principles that guide great engineering can also guide more human leadership.The conversation unpacks how respect, empathy, and gratitude form the groundwork for meaningful connection, and how translating those values into action builds stronger teams and communities. Balaji and Nicole also discuss why a foundation of trust is essential, and how kindness, when layered on that foundation, shows up as honest feedback, growth, and shared success.This conversation is a thoughtful look at how structure, awareness, and heart can coexist and how we can all learn to engineer a little more kindness into our everyday lives.

In this episode of On Kindness, leadership coach and founder of The Human Summit, Kevin Huntting, joins to explore how kindness, curiosity, and confidence intersect to shape how we live and lead. The discussion dives into the idea that kindness begins with awareness, of ourselves, others, and the systems around us, and it thrives when it’s put into action.Together, we examine how curiosity feeds confidence, allowing us to make better, more grounded decisions, and why true confidence stems from self-compassion, not perfection.This episode offers a thoughtful look at the inner work of leadership and how awareness, courage, and care can transform not just organizations, but the way we move through the world.And if this conversation resonates, don’t miss the inaugural Human Summit in 2025, a powerful virtual gathering focused on building deeper human connection beyond our perceived differences.🔗 Learn more and register: https://thehumansummit.com/signup-2025

What if leadership wasn’t about titles, but about how we show up for one another? In this episode of On Kindness, we explore kindness as an essential element of leadership — not just as an act of care, but as a deliberate choice in how we engage, connect, and help others thrive.We unpack what it means to activate the soul, heart, and mind of leadership, and how true leadership begins with the intention and attention we bring to creating environments where people feel seen, supported, and connected. Because if we’re not helping people thrive, our organizations won’t thrive either.This conversation challenges the old paradigms of power and position, offering a more human-centered approach and one that makes kindness not a soft skill, but a core strength of modern leadership.Learn more about Erin