Episode 6

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Published on:

10th Dec 2024

The Power of Kindness: Transforming Business Through Empathy

In this episode of Numbers Knowhow, I’ll be covering a topic that’s often overlooked but incredibly impactful: kindness in business.

Now, you might be thinking, isn’t business supposed to be cutthroat and competitive?

Yet, my own experience and a wealth of research suggest otherwise.

Kindness isn’t just a nice to have; it’s a game changer.

We often think of kindness as a sign of weakness, especially in the business world where aggression and dominance are sometimes seen as the keys to success. But let's flip the script.

The content of this episode includes actionable strategies like showing appreciation, fostering open communication, and promoting policies that cultivate kindness.

I’ll cover how a simple compliment or acknowledging hard work can dramatically boost team morale and productivity.

You’ll also learn why genuine kindness is more than an ethical choice – it’s a savvy business decision that can increase your bottom line.

By embedding kindness into every interaction, you’ll build a community around your business, fostering loyalty and trust, which ultimately translates to sustained success.

Remember, we're helping you to Plan It, Do It, PROFIT.

Transcript
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Imagine you're at a bustling marketplace. Vendors are shouting, customers

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are haggling. And amidst all the noise, one stall

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stands out. Not because it's the loudest or the cheapest,

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but because the seller greets everyone with a warm smile,

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listens attentively, and goes that extra mile to help.

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That's the power of kindness in business.

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Welcome to this week's episode of Numbers Know How. I'm your host, Mahmoud. And

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today we're going to be diving into a topic that's often

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overlooked, but incredibly impactful. Kindness

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in business. Kindness is not just a nice to have,

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it's a game changer. At its core, kindness is about

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being considerate of others feelings, showing empathy

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and being generous. Not just with money, but with your time

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and attention. Now, some may think kindness is a weakness. In the

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cutthroat world of business. They believe success comes from being

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aggressive, dominating the competition, and always putting

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yourself number one. But let's debunk that myth right here

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and now.

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Kindness is not a weakness. In fact, it's a

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superpower. It's a strength. Think about it. Even

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when a dentist has to perform a painful procedure, they can

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still be kind. They'll explain what's happening, they can reassure

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you, and they'll do their best to make you comfortable. Certainly my dentist

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does. Now, the procedure might still be unpleasant, but the

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kindness has made it bearable. In your business life, you

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will face tough decisions. You might have to let somebody go,

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or you have to address poor performance by one of your team. But

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handling these situations with kindness, with empathy and

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consideration, will make a world of difference.

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So how can kindness manifest in your business? Well, it

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starts with how you interact with your team. A simple compliment

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on a job well done, acknowledging somebody's hard work, or offering

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support when someone is struggling. These are all acts of

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kindness. Now remember, kindness isn't just about grand

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gestures. It's about the small, everyday actions that make people

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feel valued and respected. Now here's the

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kicker. Kindness is actually good for your bottom

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line, for your bank balance. Employees who feel

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appreciated are more motivated and productive.

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They're more likely to go the extra mile because they know they're part of a

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supported environment. Now the same goes for your customers and

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suppliers. Treat them with kindness and you're building

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relationships that will stand the test of time. People prefer to

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do business with those they like and trust. But be

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cautious. Kindness has to be genuine. People

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can spot a fake from a mile away. If you're only pretending to care,

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going through the motions, it will backfire and kick you where it

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hurts. Authenticity is key. So how

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do you go about cultivating a culture of kindness in your

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business? Well, firstly, you must lead by example.

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As the saying goes, be the change you wish to see in the

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world. Your actions will set the tone for

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everybody else. If you show kindness and empathy, your

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team will follow suit. Secondly, encourage

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open and transparent communication. Create that space where

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people feel comfortable sharing their ideas and concerns without fear

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of ridicule or retribution. Thirdly,

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consider implementing policies that actually promote kindness.

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Now this could be flexible working hours to help with work life balance, or

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recognizing and celebrating team achievements on a regular

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basis. Now it's all also important to be kind to

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yourself. Running a business is demanding and if you're not

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looking after your own well being, it becomes much harder to be

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kind to others. Take time out when you need it and don't be hard on

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yourself when things don't go as planned. Let's

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revisit our marketplace analogy. The kind vendor

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that we mentioned at the beginning didn't just have happy customers, they also

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had loyal ones. Customers who come back time and again. Not

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just for the products, but for the experience. That's what kindness can actually do.

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It fosters loyalty, it builds a community around your business, and you

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have people who will be talking about your business in a good way.

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In today's world, when so much is driven by tech and transactions,

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kindness is a differentiator. It sets you apart, it

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humanizes your business and makes it relatable. As we

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wrap up, remember that kindness is a powerful tool in your business

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arsenal. It's not about being soft or avoiding tough

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decisions. It's about handling every situation with

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empathy and respect. So start off small, smile

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more. Listen actively show appreciation. These little

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acts can have a big impact Now. Thank you for joining me on

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today's podcast, into the Heart of Kindness in Business. If you found

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value in today's episode, share it with others. Let's spread kindness one

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business at a time.

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About the Podcast

Numbers Knowhow: Business Improvement and Performance
Understanding your business finances
Why Numbers Knowhow? Well, I've been asking myself for years why so many business owners, artists, and creatives feel overwhelmed by numbers.
I’ve always had a knack for breaking down complex financial concepts into something that’s easy to digest.
My name is Mahmood Reza, and welcome to Numbers Knowhow, the podcast that’s designed to strip away the financial jargon and give you straightforward, practical advice to help you master your business finances. Our mantra here is three simple words which I'll reveal throughout the podcast.

In this teaser episode, "What is Numbers Knowhow?" I kick things off by addressing the common fears and anxieties many people feel when they think about their business finances. You’ll discover that you’re not alone if profits, cash flows, and budgets make you feel uneasy. We believe that with the right guidance and tools, anyone can get control of their business finances. Whether you’ve just started your business or you’ve been running it for years, there’s always something new to learn.
Today, I’ll introduce you to our core philosophy — and explain how these three steps can make a transformative difference in your financial management.

By listening to this podcast, you're not just signing up to gain some financial knowledge; you’re empowering yourself to take actionable steps towards a wealthier future.
You’ll learn how to plan effectively by using simple tools like a cash flow planning platform. You’ll understand why it's crucial to execute these plans efficiently.
You’ll see how focusing on these early steps leads directly to profitability.
Not only will you be better equipped to handle the numbers side of your business, but you'll also reduce the stress and anxiety that often comes with financial uncertainty.
You’ll start to feel a new sense of confidence as you make better, more informed business decisions.

About your host

Profile picture for Mahmood Reza

Mahmood Reza

Hi, my name is Mahmood, accountant, educator and author of the book, I Hate Numbers !!
I actually love numbers and what they can do for my business – and every business - but I come across so many people who have a real fear of numbers/maths/accounts (and accountants), and therefore, their business struggles to survive, never mind thrive. If only they knew how to get a fondness and some kind of control of those numbers!
Why am I so passionate about all of this stuff I’m putting out into the public domain? It’s my belief that once you understand what your numbers are, where they come from, and what they mean, you can use them to make better decisions and ultimately make (or keep) more money. What every business owner wants, right?
The one thing I’ll always guarantee you, is that whether you’re the CEO of a global corporation, or a market stall trader in your local town, your numbers matter – and you simply can’t get away from them. This book is your chance to get them all in one place, face your fears, and start making those numbers work for you.