Be a Startup Superstar

Chapter 8Embrace the Power of Kindness

Transparency, honesty, kindness, good stewardship, even humor, work in businesses at all times.

—John Gerzema, author, social strategist, leadership consultant

Three things will determine how far you get in your career: your talent, how hard you work, and how much people like and respect you. The truth is that people always want to see the people they like and respect to succeed the most. I'm not saying that every promotion simply comes down to nepotism, and, indeed, in a start‐up environment, talent and hard work are by far the most important. However, all other factors being equal, and contrary to idiomatic belief, the nice guys will finish ahead of the assholes. For that reason alone, you should strive for kindness in the workplace. But beyond that, kindness can actually enhance productivity and make others perceive you as a leader, all while improving the atmosphere of the whole office. Here's how.

Walk in Others' Shoes

Leadership relies, almost more than anything else, on empathy. If you want to inspire people to work their hardest, come up with their best ideas, and love working for you, you need to understand their feelings and their perspective. Developing this one skill will give you the ability to know what to say to motivate them and what environment they need in order to perform at their best. This soft skill is an absolute necessity for succeeding in the C‐suite, especially in the start‐up world. Start‐ups tend to attract ...