On the occasion of the World Kindness Day, celebrated annually on Nov 13, 2024, we are shedding our attention to ‘Kind Leadership’. This type of leadership is said to be an essential enabler of open, transparent, and people-centered leadership practices, which significantly can enhance safety and sustainability in the maritime industry
In an industry known for its high-stress environment and often hazardous conditions, leadership plays a crucial role in shaping the attitudes and behaviors that drive the day-to-day operations.
As in any work environment, kindness at sea can create happier, more empowered individuals, making it easier to navigate challenges and difficulties. Kind Leadership means that concerns are heard, and a cooperative, positive culture is fostered both onboard and offboard.
By defining its attributes, integrating it into early career training, embedding it in corporate practices, and addressing barriers to adoption, the maritime sector can foster a culture that values and prioritizes crew well-being and collaborative progress.
Why Kind Leadership matters
On 2022, the Maritime Professional Council of the UK (MPC) and The Nautical Institute conducted a survey on Kind Leadership and consolidated its findings on a report.
Captain John Wright, co-author of the report gives a thorough definition: ‘’Kind leadership is an approach to leadership that creates a satisfying, inclusive and enabling working environment, which significantly contributes to measurable improvements in safety and commercial performance. It builds on the core values of respect and engagement that fosters effective communication and collaboration.’’
Key findings include:
- 88% of respondents (105 out of 119) agreed that there is a place for “Kind Leadership” in the maritime industry.
- Respondents generally viewed ‘Kind Leadership’ as an effective way to enhance leadership, safety culture, team motivation, communication, and the well-being of individuals.
- Some respondents advocated for the creation of group goals and the elimination of the blame culture, favoring learning from mistakes instead.
- There was a strong belief that ‘Kind Leadership’ could be learned and taught in the working environment, through carefully planned activities both in the classroom and online.
- A prevalent theme in the findings was the impact of onboard leadership practices on cadets.
- The MPC report also noted that the qualities associated with good leadership were consistently agreed upon by respondents. These qualities included being people-centered, accountable, a role model, and an effective communicator who fosters dialogue while maintaining a clear chain of command.
- Respondents emphasized the distinction between technical expertise and a caring, respectful attitude towards team members, recognizing that the most effective leaders embody both qualities.
It becomes clear that kindness can be a fundamental catalyst for fostering open, transparent, and people-focused leadership practices.
The respondents of the survey pointed out that effective leaders are not only technically skilled but also have a caring and respectful attitude toward their team. While technical knowledge is important in the maritime industry, it’s clear that a leader who demonstrates kindness, respect, and emotional intelligence can motivate their team and ensure smoother, more collaborative working conditions.
The Seven core attributes of Kind Leadership:
- Active listening and open communication: Kind leaders foster trust and collaboration by practicing attentive listening and encouraging open dialogue.
- Empathy and emotional intelligence: Kind leaders connect deeply with team members by understanding and sharing their feelings, creating a supportive work environment.
- Authenticity and vulnerability: Kind leaders trust and promote psychological safety by being genuine and admitting when they don’t have all the answers.
- Accountability with compassion: Kind leaders maintain high standards while providing constructive feedback focused on growth and improvement.
- Inclusive decision-making: Kind leaders value diverse perspectives and involve team members in decision making processes when appropriate.
- Recognition and appreciation: Kind leaders regularly acknowledge both big and small achievements, fostering a culture of appreciation that motivates employees.
- Growth mindset and continuous learning: Kind leaders believe in developing abilities through effort and persistence, encouraging continuous learning in their teams.
In general, by promoting kindness, leaders not only can strengthen their ability to motivate their teams, but by fostering better communication they can create a safer work environment.
Kindness is the key enabler that allows open, transparent and people-centric leadership practices which can have a hugely positive impact on safe and sustainable operations across the maritime industry.
…said The Nautical Institute.
It is worth noting that in early summer, The Nautical Institute co-organized the first Kind Leadership (KL) workshop along with the The Maritime Professional Council of The UK and CHIRP Maritime.
At this workshop, delegates explored the importance of Kind Leadership and its value within maritime practices and emphasized the need to incorporate Kind Leadership into cadet and early career training programs, embedding these principles into corporate practices and progressively reshaping cultural attitudes around crew and staff management.
Furthermore, participants recognized the importance of removing existing barriers to the natural adoption of Kind Leadership practices, both on board and ashore, and committed to establishing actionable steps and timelines for industry-wide implementation. In closing remarks, MPCUK Vice Chair Capt. John Lloyd FNI highlighted that “Rules are not going to make the difference; people are going to make the difference… Change is in people; change is in us, and that’s the opportunity we now have.”
The many benefits of kindness
Kindness has a profound and positive effect on overall well-being, benefiting both the giver and receiver in multiple ways. Every year, the World Kindness Day provides an opportunity for people to fill their week with acts of kindness and goodwill.
When people engage in kind acts, it boosts their mood by releasing feel-good hormones like serotonin and endorphins, reducing stress and creating a sense of satisfaction and happiness. These biochemical changes contribute to lower blood pressure and reduced anxiety, enhancing both mental and physical health.
Five health benefits of kindness:
- Assisting others brings a sense of satisfaction.
- It fosters a sense of community and combats loneliness.
- It helps you see things from a broader perspective.
- It contributes to a happier world—one act of kindness often inspires others.
- The more you give to others, the more you benefit yourself.
A kind, people-focused leadership style is vital
There is a clear connection between the well-being of seafarers and the leadership style they are subject to, particularly when comparing a kind, people-centered approach to a more detached or unsympathetic style. In an exclusive interview with SAFETY4SEA, Steven Jones, founder of the Seafarers Happiness Index, recounted an experience from his childhood when he boarded a containership.
His experience highlights the positive impact of adequate staffing and a leadership style that prioritizes the crew’s quality of life, including rest, personal time, and morale-boosting activities. In this setting, crew members felt rested, calm, and generally positive—conditions that help to maintain mental well-being and reduce stress. However, later in his career, he encountered the opposite: poorly staffed bulk carriers, where the crew was overwhelmed, exhausted, irritable, and frustrated.
This may reflect a difference in leadership styles. A kind leader inspires those around them, and this, in turn, is reflected in the attitude of the team. Seafarers, due to the nature of their work, already face significant physical and mental hardships—especially the latter, which is often overlooked, particularly by those in authority.
Given the isolation and hardships seafarers endure, kindness—whether through communication, small gestures, or support, can play a crucial role in improving their well-being. There’s empowerment in compassion.
What is more, a kind, people-focused leadership style can significantly improve team attitudes and resilience, which is essential in high-stress environments like maritime work. Kind leaders inspire and support their team, acknowledging the challenges of life at sea and actively working to ease the mental and emotional burden.
Though circumstances in the maritime industry, as in any industry, change over time, human-centered values remain steadfast. What truly matters at the end of the day is being kind and mindful of our fellow humans.
