Top Leaders All Have This One Trait

Most leaders skip this — The great ones never do...

Author

Justin Mecham
May 21, 2025

Hey Full Potential Zoners!

Kindness isn’t weakness— it’s the fastest way to earn trust.

People don’t remember titles.

They remember how you made them feel.

Kind leaders lead differently.

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Being kind doesn’t mean lowering the bar.

It means raising the standard for how people treat each other.

Lead with kindness, and your impact will outlast your title.

Today we are going to help leaders master this by using:

‘Always Be Kind - Lead In A Way People Remember'. 

Let’s dive in!

Download This PDF + my Top 60+ Cheat Sheets At Bottom of Email

Real-Life Ways to Lead With KINDNESS

1. The Tense Team Meeting

Scenario: Your team is frustrated after missing a deadline.

  • Keep Calm:

    • Take three deep breaths before speaking.

    • Speak slowly.

    • Don’t match their stress.

  • Lead with Warmth:

    • Say, “I know this was tough. Let’s talk about what happened without blame.”

  • Set the Tone:

    • Model respectful language.

    • Use phrases like “let’s figure this out” not “you should’ve…”

  • Key Action:

    • Bring donuts/fun snack, ask one question: “What’s one thing that would’ve helped us succeed?”

    • This invites honest input and sets a calm tone without pointing fingers.

2. The Quiet Team Member

Scenario: Someone on your team rarely talks, but they’re always reliable.

  • Notice the Quiet:

    • Send them a private message: “I see the effort you’re putting in. Thank you.”

  • Share Credit:

    • In the next meeting, say: “This result wouldn’t have happened without [name]’s steady work.”

  • Follow Through:

    • Remember their work again in your next 1-on-1.

  • Key Action:

    • Ask them, “What’s something you wish we did differently as a team?”

    • You’ll earn trust, and you’ll learn a lot.

3. The Overlooked Idea

Scenario: Someone shared a great idea in a meeting, but it got brushed past.

  • Name What Matters:

    • Bring it back later: “I’ve been thinking more about [name]’s idea earlier.”

  • Invite Input:

    • Ask others, “How could we test that this week?”

  • Set the Tone:

    • You’re showing that good ideas don’t get buried.

  • Key Action:

    • Follow up with the original person 1:1.

    • Say, “Don’t stop speaking up. I’m listening.”

    • That moment alone can change how they see their value.

4. The Burned-Out Star

Scenario: Your top performer is starting to disconnect.

  • Keep Calm:

    • Don’t panic or pressure. Just listen first.

  • Earn Trust:

    • Ask, “How can I make things easier right now?”

  • Follow Through:

    • Act on what they said, even if it’s just removing one task.

  • Key Action:

    • Block out 15 minutes for a no-work catch-up.

    • Ask nothing. Just reconnect.

    • They’ll remember you didn’t just value them when they were productive.

Daily Challenge

  1. Pick one letter from the KINDNESS method (K–S) that you usually forget or avoid. Example: maybe you avoid giving credit, or you skip asking quiet teammates what they think.

  2. Before your next interaction today, write this at the top of your notes or planner:
    “Kindness is what I do, not just how I feel.”

  3. In the conversation, pause once and mentally ask: “What does this person need that they aren’t saying?”
    (This works whether you're talking to a peer, a boss, or a customer.)

  4. Do one small act from the letter you picked.
    Examples:

    • Invite Input → ask: “What do you see that I might be missing?”

    • Stand for Others → Say something positive about someone who’s not in the room.

  5. After the moment passes, write down:

    • What was different because you led with kindness?

    • Did anyone react in a way that surprised you?

  6. AI Prompt to use:
    “You're my coach for leading with quiet kindness. Today I’m focused on [insert KINDNESS letter/word]. Give me one small way to show this today — and one sentence I can say to keep myself grounded when I want to shut down or speak harshly.”

Kindness is the leadership trait people never forget.

People may not say it, but they remember who made the room feel safe.

The strongest people are the ones who can stay steady when others can’t.

If someone had to describe your leadership in one word, let it be kind — and let them mean it.

Until next time and with lots of love,

Justin

💡 Book to Read

“Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts.” by Brené Brown (see it here)

🧠 TED Talk to Watch

“How Acts of Kindness Sparked a Global Movement” by Asha Curran (see it here)


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