Have you ever noticed how a simple act of kindness can transform an entire day?  Dr. Amanda Potter, CEO of Zircon, joins me, Caitlin, on a heart warming expedition through the corridors of compassionate leadership, discussing how friendship and empathy at the top echelons of a company can sculpt a culture of inclusivity and high performance. We navigate the delicate dance of accepting compliments with grace and delve into the science behind kindness, revealing how our brains can become hardwired for empathy through consistent, caring actions.  Prepare to be enlightened on the nuances of kindness in the workplace, as Amanda and I unravel the threads that connect emotional intelligence to team dynamics and explore the inhibitors that can stifle our best intentions, from stress to unconscious biases. Through candid conversation and personal insights, this episode promises to leave you equipped with practical tools for nurturing an environment brimming with trust and belonging—one thoughtful gesture at a time. Join us and discover how to unleash the transformative power of kindness in your professional sphere, enhancing not just your work life but potentially every interaction you encounter. Timestamps Kindness ·       00:00 – Introduction to Kindness ·       01:01 – The best of frenemies ·       02:04 – Honesty; kindness in disguise ·       03:45 – Define kindness: ·       05:06 – It’s all connected; all it takes is to be kind ·       06:08 – Neuroscience! ·       07:17 – It’s far more complex than it looks… Cruel to be kind ·       08:56 – Tales from the tube ·       09:39 – Gray matters ·       10:36 – Is it better to give than receive? ·       12:05 – Ice Breaker ·       12:47 – Stress: the killer of kindness ·       14:00 – A bias against bias ·       16:18 – I feel good about being good Enjoy the little things in life ·       17:12 – Should I give Amanda compliments? ·       18:48 – Beyond the Videodrome ·       19:41 – The right environment is key ·       20:16 – Holding the door open ·       21:15 – Kindness is contagious Customer Service 101 ·       22:04 – Balance yourself and put a smile on your face ·       23:03 – The best of ourselves ·       24:37 – A charitable endeavor ·       25:07 – Listen. ·       27:31 – One act of random kindness at a time ·       28:05 – The end. Episodes are available here https://www.thecpo.co.uk/ To follow Zircon on LinkedIn and to be first to hear about podcasts, publications and news, please like and follow us: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zircon-consulting-ltd/ To access the research white papers mentioned in this and other podcasts, please go to: https://zircon-mc.co.uk/zircon-white-papers.php For more information about the BeTalent suite of tools and platform please contact: [email protected]