Leading with Kindness in Bad Times

Posted Friday, October 23, 2009

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In his latest book, Bill Baker says the best way to motivate employees is by “leading with kindness.” By that this former New York TV executive doesn’t mean being soft or avoiding hard decisions. He does mean creating an environment where workers can talk to the boss candidly even if the message is something the boss doesn’t want to hear. But how does “kindness” come into play in an environment filled with the fear of layoffs and pressure to produce more with less? The workplace and kindness in hard times with host Regina Brett, Friday at 9 on 90.3.

Guests

William Baker, President Emeritus, Educational Broadcasting Corporation & Chair and Journalist in Residence, Fordham University

Additional Information

How to Save the News, Bill Baker’s take on the demise of the news business

Read an excerpt from Leading with Kindness: How Good People Consistently Get Superior Results.

William F. Baker, Ph.D. and Michael O'Malley, Ph.D
© 2008 William F. Baker and Michael O'Malley
All rights reserved.
Published by AMACOM Books
http://www.amacombooks.org
A Division of the American Management Association

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Elaine from Cleveland Heights 9:18 AM 10/23/09

Excellent topic! Can’t wait to read this book. Three of my bosses were legendary in my life because they were supremely competent in their field, their shared their knowledge with the idea that an empowered, excited staff was a productive staff. And they knew how to praise publicly and criticize privately. None of those bosses were in Cleveland. All were in Columbus.

On the flip side, I’ve had demons for bosses here in Cleveland. They were dishonest, conniving, and duplicitious. I was always trained to “make your boss look good”, but how is that possible when your boss is nasty. It seems our little culture and declining economy in Cleveland fosters a “zero sum” mentality with management where it is almost like a blood sport. Suggestions for dealing with bullies for bosses?

Ed 9:37 AM 10/23/09

Dr. Baker,

You mentioned the 360 evaluation. How does your work contrast or compare with Daniel Goleman and Richard Boyaztis work on leadership and emotional intelligence?

Denise from Brunswick 11:59 AM 10/23/09

Great show ! Nice to know that NICE PEOPLE don’t always have to come in last ! The BEST bosses are the ones who allow you the freedom to do what they know you can do ! Right now I have TWO (yes 2 !!) bosses who like to micro-manage and WORSE yet they contradict each other when they get the chance ! Thank goodness I have the seniority and self confidence to know when to tell them that they are WRONG ! I pity the employees just starting with “the company” because they have NO IDEA what good leadership can be like.