In my article two weeks ago, I explored the important difference between kindness and people-pleasing — how kindness requires courage, clarity, and boundaries, not self-sacrifice at all costs. Last week, I wrote about the urgent need for ethical leadership and how each of us can step into that role in our own sphere of influence.

Today, I’d like to bring these ideas together and ask: What if kindness became our guiding compass for the choices we make — not just for ourselves, but for the generations who will inherit the world we shape today?

There are moments when I watch the world news and feel a deep sadness. Wars that destroy lives and futures. Leaders who weaponise fear. Policies that value profit over people. It can feel as if humanity is adrift, its moral compass spinning without direction.

And yet — I refuse to despair.

Because history teaches us that moments of moral crisis can also be turning points. They can be the catalysts that awaken us to the urgent need for a different kind of leadership — one rooted in ethics, empathy, and long-term responsibility.

We live in an era of unprecedented technological progress — yet our ethical foundations seem more fragile than ever. We see leaders more focused on winning the next election than on safeguarding the next generation. We see strategies driven by short-term gains rather than long-term stewardship. We see power often untethered from responsibility.

It took me more than 40 years to realise this simple yet life-changing truth: I can be kind—and still say no.

For the longest time, I believed that being kind meant always saying yes, always accommodating, always making sure no one was ever disappointed or uncomfortable around me. I confused kindness with people pleasing. But over time—and with deep reflection after many painful experiences —I’ve come to understand that these two couldn’t be further apart.

People pleasing comes from a place of fear, insecurity, and self-abandonment. You give your power and authenticity away to chase the approval of others. You become overly dependent on appreciation and validation, believing—sometimes unconsciously—that your worth is tied to being liked or accepted.

I’ve lived that life. And it’s exhausting.

These days, it feels like we’re surrounded by stress and frustration—and it doesn’t take much for misunderstandings to turn into rude behavior. Whether it’s at work, at home, or just out in the world, we’re often confronted with this kind of behavior. And with media and social media constantly amplifying negativity, it can start to feel like rudeness and arrogance are everywhere.

Yet, how we choose to respond to this negativity defines us more than the behavior we encounter.

I believe that every human being is born with a unique and meaningful purpose. We are not here by accident. Each life has value, and within that value lies potential—potential to make a difference, to touch lives, and to serve something greater than ourselves.

Yet, in the chaos of daily life—paying bills, raising families, pursuing careers—many of us lose sight of this truth. We find ourselves in a constant race for survival. And often, it’s only when life jolts us—through loss, suffering, or major change—that we pause and ask the deeper questions: What is my purpose? Why am I here?

When people ask me where I’ve learned the most about leadership, I don’t immediately point to my business education or professional experience in the corporate world. I often say: “Step into a volunteer role, and you’ll find yourself learning more about leadership than you ever expected.”

Over the past years, my journey as President of Professional Women International – Brussels has been one of the most transformative leadership experiences of my life. Leading an organization built entirely on the power of volunteers, fueled by shared purpose rather than hierarchy, has taught me about vision, humility, resilience, and influence in the most profound ways.

Martin Luther King Jr. once marched under a banner that read:

“Men are not our enemies. If we kill men, with whom shall we live?”

He was joined in deep moral and spiritual conviction by his friend, the Vietnamese Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh. Both understood something that much of humanity still struggles to grasp to this day: Our enemies are not other people. Our enemies are hatred, anger, resentment, fear, and discrimination.

This insight is not only timely — it is timeless. And it is perhaps one of the most urgent messages our world needs to hear and integrate today.

Would our world be just a little more peaceful if every leader—political, corporate, and personal—paused each day to breathe, to listen, to be?

I believe so. When the mind settles, our words soften, our choices widen, and the ripple reaches far beyond the boardroom or the living room.

Mindfulness, in plain sight

Mindfulness isn’t incense, pretzel-poses or a luxury retreat. It’s the everyday discipline of paying gentle, non-judgemental attention—to thoughts, emotions, body sensations, and the space around us—exactly as they are, right now.

Practised consistently, it re-wires stress reactions into thoughtful responses, steadies the nervous system, lowers blood pressure, and gifts us the clarity to lead with heart instead of habit.

We are living through a time where polarization seems to dominate headlines, conversations, and communities. And yet, beneath the noise, there is something far more precious being quietly eroded: our human dignity, our capacity for depth, and our collective wisdom.

It’s easy to overlook the true cost of conflict in a world that often rewards the loudest voice or the sharpest retort. But if we pause and pay attention, we begin to see the damage—both subtle and profound—that division inflicts on our shared humanity.

The Erosion of Human Dignity

Behind every heated debate or ideological clash lies a vital question: Are we honoring each other's humanity, or are we diminishing it?

Too often, conflict morphs into dehumanization. Instead of seeing the person before us as a whole being—with dreams, struggles, and a need to be seen—we reduce them to an opposing side. An obstacle. A threat.

This kind of divisiveness chips away at the core of human dignity. And dignity, I believe, is not optional—it is the soil from which respect, empathy, and understanding can grow. As I share in The Path of Powerful Kindness, it is through everyday acts of kindness that we choose to uphold each other’s dignity. That we affirm: you matter, just as you are.

When We Lose Depth, We Lose Each Other

In a culture built on instant reactions and short attention spans, we are often quicker to respond than to understand. But real depth—true connection—demands more of us. It asks for listening beyond words. It requires slowing down, being present, and holding space for the complexity of others.

Divisiveness thrives on the superficial. It thrives when we trade understanding for judgment and presence for performance. When we choose conflict over curiosity, we flatten one another into caricatures. But when kindness enters the room, depth returns. We begin to see each other in full color again.

Wisdom Cannot Breathe in Division

Wisdom is not born from certainty—it is shaped through humility, dialogue, and shared experience. When we close ourselves off, refusing to engage with perspectives different from our own, we shut the door on growth. Isolation, fueled by conflict, breeds stagnation.

Kindness, however, opens doors. It creates bridges where walls once stood. It invites us into conversations where learning is possible and where wisdom is co-created. In unity, wisdom flourishes—not because we agree on everything, but because we remain open-hearted in the face of disagreement.

Kindness: The Path Back to Our Humanity

To rebuild what conflict and division have torn apart, we must return to the simplest yet most radical practice we have: kindness. Not the soft, passive kind. But the powerful, deliberate kind that chooses compassion over contempt. That listens instead of labels. That builds instead of breaks.

Kindness is not weakness. It is a conscious act of courage. And it is how we reclaim what’s been lost—our dignity, our depth, our collective wisdom.

The path of powerful kindness is not just an ideal; it’s a choice we make, moment by moment. A choice to heal rather than harm. To connect rather than conquer. To lead not with fear or fury—but with presence, respect, and heart.

In a world aching for connection, may we choose that path—again and again.

With kindness, Barbara.

For more informationa about my work: https://www.barbaravercruysse.com/

Have you ever found yourself awake in the still of the night, your mind looping over a difficult decision? If you have, you’re not alone.

Leadership often means navigating complexity—and with that comes moments of doubt, uncertainty, and the quiet weight of responsibility. Decision making is a vital skill, and history is full of examples showing just how impactful—positively or negatively—our decisions can be.

While mistakes are part of any leader’s journey, how we learn from them, how we pause to reflect and grow, is where our true strength lies. And that’s where critical thinking becomes such a powerful ally.

But for me, it doesn’t stop there.

Every day, we are confronted with new headlines—more violence, more war, more division. From the renewed tensions between India and Pakistan, to the devastating wars between Russia and Ukraine, Israel and Palestine, to the ongoing suffering in Sudan and Yemen—we are witnessing a world that seems to have forgotten one fundamental truth:

Outer peace is impossible without inner peace.

Over the years, I’ve met many people carrying the weight of unspoken hurt—some even struggling with anxiety or depression. Often, beneath their suffering lies a quiet burden: the pain of unresolved anger, bitterness, or disappointment. These emotional wounds, left unattended, begin to shape our outlook, our relationships, and even our physical health.

But I’ve also witnessed something remarkable: how healing begins the moment we choose to let go. And how kindness, extended to ourselves and others, can guide us there.

Look around, and you’ll see it everywhere—rudeness in public discourse, merciless competition in workplaces, and a growing disconnect between leaders and the people they serve.

In a world that often rewards aggression over empathy, leadership driven by kindness and compassion is not just a preference—it’s a necessity.

True leadership isn’t about exerting control or demanding results at any cost. It’s about inspiring people, fostering trust, and creating environments where individuals can thrive. The most impactful leaders throughout history—those who left legacies of transformation—led not through intimidation, but through empathy, wisdom, and a genuine concern for others.

Kindness in leadership is not weakness. It is strength. It is the foundation of trust, collaboration, and growth. Leaders who embrace kindness don’t just manage teams; they mentor, uplift, and empower people to become the best versions of themselves. And in doing so, they shape a future where leadership is not about power, but about purpose.

Now more than ever, we need leaders who understand that success and humanity are not mutually exclusive.

Here’s why kindness should be at the core of leadership—and how it has the power to shape individuals, organizations, and the world at large.

1. Strengthening Interpersonal Relationships: Strong, positive relationships are essential for the long-term success of any group, whether in a family, organization, or community.
2. Reduction of Mental Health Issues: A significant number of individuals in various spheres of life are suffering from mental health issues caused by stress, mistreatment, and disrespect from leaders.
3. Promoting Personal Growth and Development: Leaders who are kind provide opportunities for personal growth and self-improvement.
4. Increased Creativity and Productivity: Kindness creates a culture of trust and openness, which encourages to think creatively and share their ideas.
5. Fostering a Sense of Belonging and Empowerment: Kind leaders make others feel as though they belong.
6. Enhanced Communication and Collaboration: Leaders who practice kindness set a tone for open and effective communication.
7. Creating a Legacy of Impact: Finally, kind leaders often leave behind a legacy of impact that transcends their time in leadership.

As leaders, we have a choice: to simply manage or to mentor, to command or to uplift. The leaders who leave the greatest legacies are those who recognize that kindness is not an optional trait—it is the foundation of true, lasting influence. By embracing kindness, we don’t just lead for today; we shape a future where leadership is defined by wisdom, integrity, and the power to bring out the best in others.

Now is the time to lead differently. Now is the time to lead with kindness.

Much love, Barbara

A few days ago, I saw a documentary on the Al-Hawl Refugee Camp in northern Syria. And it is so obvious and still heartbreaking to watch how hate, revenge and hard-heartedness are cultivated and growing there. And I am sure in many other places where atrocities take place. Whole new generations grow up traumatized and full of hatred. In our close surroundings too, we can witness hate or ourselves be carried away by hate.

Hate is a pernicious poison that's been destroying countless lives. The question remains: why haven't we found a way to transcend hate knowing that kindness can be a more powerful tool in the journey of life? [Rhetoric].

Isn't it time to break free from the cycle of hate and start building bridges instead of walls? Hate has caused many to lose opportunities in life, and it's time to break this cycle. We can break this cycle of hate by simply by realizing that hatred destroys the hater.

Do you often find yourself held back by self-doubt? You're not alone. Many of us possess the innate ability to reach extraordinary heights, yet self-doubt often holds us back from achieving greatness. When we allow doubt to cloud our minds, we diminish our capacity for success. It's time to break free from this limiting mindset and unlock your true capabilities.

Throughout history, remarkable individuals have attributed their accomplishments to an unshakeable belief in themselves. From visionary leaders to pioneering innovators, their journeys to success were marked by a steadfast confidence that overshadowed fear and doubt.

By embracing this mindset, we can overcome fear and doubt, and achieve remarkable things. Remember, confidence is the catalyst for greatness – let it propel you towards your dreams.

Humility and kindness often have become rare gems in a world where leadership qualities like decisiveness and charisma often take the spotlight.

Yet, it is precisely these traits that can set exceptional leaders apart, creating a lasting impact on their teams and organizations.

In this article, we explore how the seemingly soft skills of humility and kindness have a profound influence on leadership effectiveness. By embracing these virtues, leaders can build trust, nurture inclusivity, and cultivate a positive organizational culture that thrives on compassion and collaboration.

“Kindness fills and envelops you in authenticity that will make a greater first impression in seconds than you ever could without being kind.” - Adrienne Bankert

It is my mission to shift the current perspective on Kindness and teach that Kindness is an evolved way of Being, that kindness is only perceived as weakness by the weak, the imbalanced and the insecure (and let’s never lose our compassion for them).

It requires self-discipline and a very strong sense of self-understanding, self-confidence and self-esteem to stay kind to a rude person, to stay outside the negativity of the unkind one, and to not be triggered by it.

Kindness is a sign of a person who has dealt with his inner demons, his insecurities and old wounds, who has done a lot of personal work and has come to a great self-understanding, a deep compassion and wisdom.