DownloadThe Portobello Bookshop Gift Guide 2024

KIND

The quiet power of kindness at work

Graham Allcott author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Published:10th Oct '24

Should be back in stock very soon

KIND cover

The business case for recognising and understanding the importance of kindness at work, and the need to use these skills to enhance performance and develop a healthy and sustainable working culture.

What if someone told you the key to success was kindness?

While it doesn’t always make headlines, there is a growing recognition that kindness is vital to strong performance at work. In the broad range of leadership skills, kindness is inherently quieter, more personal and harder to see – and yes, less interesting or cinematic than controversial tweets and ‘bullying boss’ behaviour. But kindness builds empathy and trust, which ultimately creates a sense of psychological safety – and that safety leads to more creativity; a better quality of decision-making; safer critical thinking; higher levels of staff loyalty, flexibility and retention; a heightened sense of engagement; and, ultimately, higher productivity and profitability.

In KIND, Graham Allcott explores how we can create work cultures that encourage kindness. He argues that, far from being a ‘fluffy’ or nebulous idea, kindness and empathy are 21st century superpowers, which can transform any organization into a dynamic environment where people want to work. The author aims to convince the doubters, as well as helping already ‘kindful’ people, to articulate the power of kindness and make a stronger case for its greater profile in their working environments.

Drawing on psychology and neuroscience as well as management theory and business research, he shows how kindness helps encourage productive and positive work cultures. From busting three important myths that need to be addressed to engage the more cynical reader – or the reader’s more cynical colleagues – to covering ‘The Eight Principles of Kindfulness at Work’, Graham Allcott offers practical advice on how to make kindfulness part of the fabric of your working life so both you and your team can thrive.

Kindfulness is a simple idea that can change everything. -- Seth Godin * author of The Song of Significance *
This book is a wonderful antidote to the Donald Trump School of Business. I would rather do business with people if I don’t feel I have to count my fingers after I have shaken their hand. -- Nick Jenkins * Founder of Moonpig, BBC Dragon’s Den *
Kindness has been central to our approach to business at Timpson for many years. It’s not fluffy or weak – it’s strong, it builds great teams, and it leads to long-lasting success. Graham’s brilliant book will show you how. -- James Timpson * CEO of Timpson *
This book puts kindness at the centre of social action. Kindness informs us and engages us in the well-being of others. Here’s to us all moving forward to more kindness, and this book is definitely a good omen. -- Lord John Bird MBE * Founder of the Big Issue *
KIND is the business book I have always wanted to read. The insightful Graham Allcott has brought the power of kindness to us all, as his vulnerability, courage and wisdom shine through this book. One of the kindest and most powerful voices in the business world. -- Denise Nurse * CEO Success Coach, Co-Founder of Black Founders Hub and BBC TV Presenter *
This book is your guide to maximizing others’ potential without being a jerk. Swap scare tactics for psychological safety and become the charismatic, high-energy leader everyone loves working with. -- Jodie Cook * Founder of Coachvox and Senior Contributor, Forbes *
KIND is a keeper. With wit, warmth and wisdom, Allcott shows us how to harness the power of kindness to become better people, leading better lives in a better world. Grab a copy now! -- Carl Honoré * author of In Praise of Slow *
This book feels like a breath of fresh air. Rather than suggesting I strive to be something “more” in order to be successful in life and work, it reminds me to tap into something that’s been right there all along. This book gives me permission to lean on my kindness, which is free, generates excellent outcomes, and fundamentally just feels good to use. A really powerful and useful read. -- Hannah Massarella * Founder of Bird *
I’ve always lived by the mantra “work hard, play hard, be kind” and it’s excellent to now have this thoughtful, helpful guide to the why, what and how on what role kindness can have in the workplace. Another inspiring read from Graham that looks set to become an instant classic for any thoughtful leader’s bookshelf. -- Sophie Devonshire * CEO of The Marketing Society & author, Superfast *
What a lovely book. Chock-full of lessons in kindness. -- Susie Hills * Founder of KindFest *
Everyone knows this stuff, but Graham says it in a way that sticks with you throughout the day. I keep KIND on my desk like a bedside book, as a beautiful reminder. -- Derek Sivers * author of Useful Not True *
An incredibly in-depth study into what makes workplaces – and people – truly kind and how to unlock that in your own working world. Essential reading for anyone wanting to transform their management style for a new generation. -- Lisa Smosarski * Editorial Director, The Stylist Group *
I was once told that if you can be one thing, be kind. Graham Allcott’s excellent book is a timely reminder that kindness is an opportunity for everyone. -- James Reed * Chairman and CEO of Reed Group *
KIND is a handbook that champions kindness as the foundation of all that we do. Kindness should be at the core of every business, shaping a world where we feel safe to be our authentic selves and accomplish our best work. The more we can be true to who we are in our professional lives, the more impactful and joyful our world becomes. Graham’s book serves as a playbook for leaders and organizations who want to make kindness their guiding principle. It demonstrates how putting kindness at the heart of your business not only drives profitability but also fosters positivity that extends far beyond the workplace. It’s time for businesses to embrace kindness fully. Graham’s book shows us how to do just that – making our companies kinder, more compassionate, and ultimately, more successful. -- Carlos Saba * Co-Founder of The Happy Startup School *
I have personally suffered at the hands of unkind leaders – people who, for whatever reason, think that yelling, selfishness, and throwing coffee cups is the right way to go. I wish they would read this book where Graham makes the case for kindness and lets us know how we can implement it in our lives. -- L. David Marquet * author of Turn the Ship Around *
This beautifully-written and insightful book shows how you can make kindness your foundation for a happier and more rewarding life – at work and beyond. It weaves together compelling science, memorable principles and helpful examples – all in a warm, accessible and practical way. This is the timely dose of warmth and sanity we urgently need right now and shows how we can and must create a kinder world together. -- Dr Mark Williamson * Director of Action for Happiness *
Human sense meets business sense. A grounded, practical and generous book. Graham makes the case for kindness so well you can’t help but turn towards it in everyday moments of work and life. -- Grace Marshall * author of Struggle *
This book reminds us that kindness is not just a virtue but a powerful competitive advantage in business. -- Lauren Currie * Founder and CEO of UPFRONT *
Simple, everyday acts of kindness can change the world, and are “rocket fuel” for collective enterprise. In KIND, Graham Allcott makes an utterly convincing case for kindness at work, in a blend of beautifully clear writing, well-researched scientific evidence, deep thinking and engaging anecdotes. A great read. -- Sally-Anne Airey * author of Mindful Command: The Way of the Evolving Leader *
I am so glad of Graham’s wise and humane work. Rooted in the real world and full of genuinely useful advice, it’s the antidote to hustle culture. -- Josie Long * Comedian & author *
At Pizza Pilgrims we put kindness at the heart of what we do. Not only is this the right thing to do from a human perspective – but we genuinely believe (and have evidenced) that it delivers commercially for the business and all our teams as well. It is great to see a book that champions this approach and celebrates the fantastic businesses that put kindness at the heart of their operation. -- Thom Elliot * Founder of Pizza Pilgrims *
I have learnt a lot during my 50 years in business...but the overriding thing is that “it is all about the people”. You need to read this excellent book to understand what makes them tick. -- Julian Richer * Founder, Richer Sounds, Philanthropist & author *
In KIND, Graham gracefully captures the power of kindness in business and among its people. It is about nurturing our people through kindness and healing them along the way. -- Nand Kishore Chaudhary * Founder and MD of Jaipur Rugs *
Graham Allcott has written a wonderful book. It’s a powerful, useful and moving work about how to improve your life and your work through something as deceptively simple as kindness. -- Singer-Songwriter * Frank Turner *

ISBN: 9781399417402

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

240 pages