King Salmon Conference: The Power of Kindness in Leadership

Reflections from Hope Is My Homeboy at King Salmon’s Leadership Conference

The Power of Genuine Care
Recently, I had the privilege of speaking at King Salmon’s Leadership Conference in Nelson on behalf of Hope Is My Homeboy, sharing insights on how kindness can shape success and support mental health in the workplace. The theme—using kindness to uplift others—tied directly to my own experiences. Years ago, I worked in a gym where I loved everything about my job. Every day, I showed up with genuine care, and every client could feel it. But it wasn’t just my passion for helping others that made the experience meaningful—it was the environment created by the owner and managers.

At the gym, the leadership consistently checked in: How are you going? Is there anything we can do to help you do your job better? It made all the difference. I felt seen, valued, and empowered to bring my best self to work. I call that kind of leadership “genuine care,” and it set the stage for success not only for me but for every client I interacted with.

Contrasting Experiences: Micro-Managing vs. Kind Leadership
At the same time, I was also working at a café where the leadership approach couldn’t have been more different. There, my boss focused on every misstep, ensuring that I knew exactly what I was doing wrong. It felt suffocating, like I was constantly under a microscope. I found myself working just to get through the days, keeping my head down, afraid to be myself. The contrast was stark: the same person—me—in two different environments, creating vastly different experiences for the people I served.

It was a lesson in leadership. Sometimes, we get caught up in finding the “right” people for our teams, but it’s not always about the people—it’s about the environment. If we create the right space, we’ll see team members who feel inspired, like the version of me that thrived at the gym. If we create a rigid, restrictive environment, we end up with people just getting by, like my café experience.

The Power of Kind Words
Words are powerful. They can uplift, inspire, and bring out the best in others, or they can stifle, discourage, and drain enthusiasm. Words could be our greatest tool to build a workplace where everyone feels safe, valued, and ready to succeed. As I said in my talk, "Your mouth can spit venom, or it can mend a broken soul and inspire them to succeed." Leaders have the unique power to set a tone where kindness is woven into everyday interactions, leading to a workplace that feels more like a supportive community.

Creating a Culture of Kindness and Success
To foster this kind of environment, here are a few practical steps I shared with the leaders at King Salmon:

1. Check in Regularly and Authentically
   Genuine check-ins can make a world of difference. Asking a team member how they’re doing and listening to their response fosters a sense of care and belonging.

2. Celebrate Efforts, Not Just Outcomes
   Recognising not just achievements but the hard work and dedication that go into them reinforces that every team member’s journey matters. This creates a space where people feel valued and motivated to bring their best.

3. Encourage Vulnerability and Growth
   Allowing space for team members to admit when they’re struggling or to ask for help creates a foundation of trust. There’s strength in being oneself and bravery in admitting when things aren’t okay. When leaders model this vulnerability, they create a safer environment for everyone to thrive.

A Closing Thought on Hope and Resilience
As I wrapped up my talk, I shared a reminder that I hold close: there is always hope, and there is always a way forward. Just like a broken cup that can be mended and made stronger, we too can find resilience even in our hardest moments. And sometimes, that strength comes from a simple act of kindness, a supportive word, or a thoughtful check-in.

So, have you checked on your team—or your “homies”—today? Because creating a kinder, more successful workplace starts with each of us.

Final Words
For those of you in companies looking to make kindness a core part of your culture, I’d love to continue this conversation. At hope is my homeboy, we’re committed to spreading messages of hope, resilience, and kindness because, together, we can create workspaces that empower every individual to be their best.

Thank you for reading, and remember—sometimes, the simplest acts of kindness can be the strongest building blocks for success - Rutu