In a world increasingly interconnected yet paradoxically divided, the value of kindness has never been more pronounced. Through the insights of seven keynote speakers, ranging across many different industries and areas of expertise, we explore the profound impact of kindness on both personal and professional spheres of life and why it should be a priority for you and your business as we enter the new year.

Adam Braun: New York Times Bestselling Author, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist and Founder of Pencils of Promise

Adam Braun's journey embodies the power of kindness in transforming lives through education and entrepreneurship. As the founder of Pencils of Promise, Braun started with the simple yet profound goal of providing pencils to children in India. His non-profit organization symbolizes the immense potential of a small act of kindness and demonstrates how these seemingly insignificant gestures can lead to the establishment of an organization that has since built nearly 600 schools worldwide, impacting thousands of students.

Braun's approach interlaces the heart of a non-profit with the acumen of a for-profit business. This innovative model, which he terms "for-purpose," showcases how kindness and empathy — when combined with entrepreneurial vision — can lead to significant societal impact. Braun's initiatives extend beyond education; as the CEO of Climate Club, he emphasizes sustainability and the future of work, highlighting the interconnectedness of kindness, environmental stewardship, and economic progress.

His work has earned him accolades, including being named one of Forbes' “30 Under 30” and Wired Magazine's 50 People Who Are Changing The World. Braun’s book The Promise of a Pencil: How an Ordinary Person Can Create Extraordinary Change details his journey and the lessons learned in creating a global movement. His approach to kindness in professional and personal realms demonstrates that compassionate leadership and strategic thinking can coexist to forge a path for a better future​​​​.

Dr. Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell: Co-Founders of Beekman 1802

Dr. Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell, have harnessed the power of kindness to revolutionize their business practices and set an example for companies across industries. Their journey began with a sustainable initiative at their historic farm in Sharon Springs, New York, where they started making goat milk soap at their kitchen table. This venture was not just a business endeavor but a passion project deeply rooted in sustainable living and community-sharing that grew into a multimillion-dollar skincare business with the tagline “There is Beauty in Kindness.”

The success of Beekman 1802, named Ulta’s Brand of the Year, can be attributed to their unique approach of placing kindness at the core of their business model. They developed a "kindness index" to guide every decision, proving that compassionate business practices can lead to significant success. This method has not only built a culture that prioritizes humanity but has also attracted top talent and fostered substantial partnerships based on shared values.

Their keynote speeches focus on the theme "G.O.A.T. Wisdom for Success Through Kindness," where they share their journey in discovering the greatest key to success in community, in business, and in life: kindness. They emphasize how kindness was a non-negotiable value, integral to their core principles, which eventually became the secret ingredient to their business success.Their story is a testament to how a kindness-first approach is not only ethically rewarding but also strategically advantageous in business. Ridge and Kilmer-Purcell demonstrate that businesses can thrive by fostering a culture of kindness, proving it to be a powerful tool in achieving success​​.

Hannah Ubl and Lisa Walden, Co-Founders of Good Company Consulting and Co-Authors of The Future of Work is Human: Transforming Company Culture for a Post-Pandemic World

Hannah Ubl and Lisa Walden champion the essence of kindness in the workplace through their human-centric approach to company culture. By emphasizing the need for trust and connection within teams, especially during challenging times, they showcase how kindness can transform the work environment.

Ubl and Walden have dedicated the past decade to helping companies improve company culture and retain their workforce, and along the way they’ve discovered a strangely well-kept secret: the best recipe for organizational success is rooted in mindfulness, empathy, and kindness.

With these ingredients in mind, their strategy for enhancing organizational communication pivots around empathy, moving from transactional interactions to meaningful connections. They advocate for creating psychologically safe workplaces where kindness is a foundation, enabling employees to take innovative risks and build trusting relationships. This approach resonates deeply in today’s digital world, emphasizing the need for a people-first mindset that fosters belonging and appreciation.

Furthermore, their insights into managing change, preventing burnout, and dealing with stress underline the power of kindness when woven into leadership strategy. Ubl and Walden offer a roadmap for leaders to adapt to the future of work, intertwining kindness with practical tools for cultural transformation. Their dedication to humanizing work cultures and prioritizing employee well-being is a powerful reminder of how integral kindness is for thriving business environments.

Joe Mull: Expert on Workforce, Leadership, and Teamwork, Top Leadership Author, Founder of BossBetter, and Host of the BossBetter Now Podcast

Joe Mull’s expertise in workforce retention and commitment centers around the principal role of kindness in leadership and team dynamics. His book, Employalty: How to Ignite Commitment and Keep Top Talent in the New Age of Work, delves into creating workplaces where kindness is key to employee loyalty and engagement.
Mull identifies critical leadership habits that foster emotional and psychological bonds, rooted in kindness and understanding. He moves beyond task-oriented management, focusing instead on nurturing a workplace culture where kindness motivates employees to fully commit to their roles.

In his work, Mull demonstrates how kindness can be a driving force in building high-performing, harmonious teams by reducing workplace drama, fostering positive interactions, and creating environments where support and collaboration are paramount. Drawing from his experience in Learning and Development at UPMC, Mull combines practical strategies with social science research, offering leaders valuable guidance on how to be a better boss and how to make work “work for all” by cultivating a culture of commitment, collaboration, and kindness.

Louie Gravance, Former Disney Institute Professor and Customer Experience Expert, Author of SERVICE is a SUPERPOWER! Lessons Learned in a Magic Kingdom

Louie Gravance, with his rich background at The Walt Disney Company, champions kindness as a core component of customer service and experience. His philosophy, "Service is a Superpower," encapsulates the transformative impact of kindness on both customers and service providers.

Gravance’s keynotes and workshops highlight how delivering exceptional service, rooted in kindness, creates memorable experiences for customers and fulfilling roles for employees. His keynote speech and book, SERVICE is a SUPERPOWER! Lessons Learned in a Magic Kingdom, serves as a guide to developing these service-oriented skills.

Gravance also emphasizes the storytelling aspect of customer interactions, showing how kindness in each transaction shapes the overall brand narrative, employee satisfaction, and customer expectations. Gravance’s approach, merging entertainment with business, makes his sessions engaging and insightful, underlining the parallels between show business and all business sectors.

Through his unique blend of humor, storytelling, and practical advice, Gravance inspires audiences to embrace service and kindness as fundamental elements in redefining customer interactions and enhancing overall service excellence.

The insights from these seven speakers collectively illustrate the multifaceted importance of kindness in the world of business. Whether it's through educational initiatives, innovative business strategies, compassionate leadership, effective workplace dynamics, or exceptional customer service, each keynote speaker highlights how kindness can be a powerful catalyst for personal and professional growth. This exploration underscores that kindness is not just an ethical choice, but a pragmatic one that can lead to success and fulfillment in various aspects of life and work.

To infuse more kindness into your company, team, or organization, contact Executive Speakers Bureau today to book one of these empowering speakers.