In this episode of The Mindful CEO, Chris Angell and Aaron Hendon wrestle with a provocative question: does kindness actually belong in high-performance culture? Far from soft or indulgent, they argue that kindness is a powerful driver of accountability, resilience, and long-term results. Through stories of meditation students, business teams, and their own experiences, they uncover the crucial difference between niceness and kindness, why hustle culture often resists it, and how leaders can use kindness as both a strategy and a stance. This episode challenges the assumption that toughness equals effectiveness and offers a mindful alternative that creates sustainable success.
Resources & Links:
Learn more about How to Live a Grateful Life in a Fucked Up World → https://thegratefulbreath.com
Learn more about From Hustle to Flow: Sell more by stressing less → https://www.therealtorsedge.com
Welcome back and framing the dragons of hustle culture
Niceness vs kindness: why the distinction matters
Meditation students, self-assessment, and the drop-out pattern
How kindness strengthens accountability and resilience
The role of compassion in leadership and team dynamics
Busting the myth that kindness undermines performance
Practical ways leaders can practice mindful kindness
Closing reflections and future vision
