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How Top Performers Actually Lead
Most people miss the moment that matters most...
Justin Mecham
May 31, 2025
Hey Full Potential Zoners!
People don’t quit companies— they quit unkind cultures.
Kindness isn’t about being soft.
It’s about being strong enough to respond, instead of react.
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Use my sheet to shift from reacting to responding.
Because kindness isn’t just something you give, it’s something you build— one step and choice at a time.
Today we are going to help leaders master this by using:
‘Level Up With Kindness'.
Let’s dive in!
Download This PDF + my Top 60+ Cheat Sheets At Bottom of Email
Real-World Ways to Lead With Kindness at Work
1. A Teammate’s Idea Gets Ignored in a Meeting
Scenario: You’re in a fast-paced meeting. A quieter team member suggests something — and no one acknowledges it.
Make Their Voice Count Later:
Say in the next meeting or follow-up thread: “I’ve been thinking more about what [Name] said — it could really move us forward. Can we look at it again?”
Give Their Idea a Platform:
Bring it up in your 1:1 with the manager or team lead.
Let them be the one to share it again with more visibility.
Build a Habit of Circling Back:
End each meeting with: “Is there anything we missed or need to come back to next time?”
This makes space part of the culture.
2. A Manager Sends a Harsh Message Under Pressure
Scenario: You get a cold or frustrated email from a leader. It’s out of character, and you’re unsure how to respond.
Don’t React — Ground Yourself:
Assume stress before malice.
Say: “All good — I’ll get on this. Let me know if you need anything else today.”
Later, Offer Support Without Judgment:
Privately ask: “You’ve had a lot coming at you — is there anything I can take off your plate?”
Set the Tone for the Team:
Others will follow your lead.
Your calm reply shows the whole team how to stay kind even when it's tense.
3. You’re Managing Someone Who Missed a Deadline
Scenario: One of your reports misses a clear deliverable. No heads-up. No context. You’re frustrated.
Open with Curiosity, Not Criticism:
Ask: “Hey — this one slipped. What got in the way?”
Talk About the System, Not Just the Task:
Ask: “Is there something in your process we need to fix together?”
Give Them a Way to Repair, Not Just Apologize:
Say: “What would getting ahead next time look like?”
You’re not just teaching accountability. You’re building trust.
4. You’re Overloaded and Someone Asks for “Just a Quick Favor”
Scenario: A peer messages you asking for help — but you’re already stretched thin.
Respond With Respect, Not Resentment:
Say: “I want to help, but today’s packed. Would tomorrow work?” or “I can do a quick look, but I can’t dive deep this time.”
Offer What You Can, Even If It’s Small:
A link. A screenshot. A referral.
You’re still being kind — without overextending or faking it.
Set Boundaries That Still Feel Generous:
Boundaries aren’t a lack of kindness.
They’re how kindness stays sustainable.
5. Someone’s Underperforming, but Clearly Struggling Personally
Scenario: A teammate who usually delivers is off their game. You suspect something personal is going on.
Choose Care Over Output — Just This Once:
Say: “I’ve noticed things feel heavy lately — want to talk?”
Then stop talking. Let them choose if they want to open up.
Offer Cover or Support Without Needing Details:
Say: “If you need space, I can take the lead on this one. Just let me know what you need.”
Don’t Make It a Big Deal Later:
Trust kindness can be quiet.
No follow-up required — just the space to recover.
Daily Challenge
Pick one kindness action from today’s list that you want to focus on most (Example: Listening without interrupting, backing someone up, setting a clear boundary, etc.).
Name the moment you’re most likely to forget it. (Example: “I usually rush through meetings,” or “I get short when I’m behind on work.”).
Write one sentence to keep your goal in view. Put it on a sticky note or type it on your phone. Something like:
“Kindness means I pause before replying.”
“This is a moment to support, not react.”
“Stay solid. Stay kind.”
Catch yourself once during the day. When the moment shows up, notice it — and try to make a different choice. You don’t need to be perfect. Just notice, pause, and try.
At the end of the day, ask:
“What moment today did I show real kindness?”
“What could I try differently tomorrow?” Write just one sentence for each.
AI Prompt: “Act like my personal coach. Today, I want to be more kind at work — in a way that actually helps someone or changes how I show up. Here’s the kindness habit I want to work on: [insert lesson, like ‘speaking up for others’ or ‘setting better boundaries’].
Give me one real thing I can do today in a moment that will likely come up. Keep it short, simple, and useful. Then ask me one question at the end to help me reflect tonight.”
Real kindness changes culture one choice at a time.
Workplace culture isn’t changed in all-hands meetings. It’s changed in how we reply to one message.
The way you back someone up, give credit, or pause to listen reshapes what others believe is normal.
When you go first, it shows others what’s possible.
If enough people do the same small good thing — it becomes the way things are.
The room gets better because you chose to be better in it.
Kindness becomes culture when it stops being rare.
Until next time and with lots of love,
Justin
The Story That Sparked This Edition
💡 Book to Read
“The War for Kindness: Building Empathy in a Fractured World” by Jamil Zaki (see it here)
🧠 TED Talk to Watch
“The Value of Kindness at Work” by James Rhee (see it here)
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