Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Why Kind Leaders Win: Can kindness actually drive company profit? In this fun and honest on-stage conversation, luminary leaders share compelling stories, cutting-edge research, and practical tips on kind leadership as a driver of both personal well-being and organizational success.
The Greater Good Science Center, in partnership with the Berkeley Center for Workplace Culture and Innovation at Haas, hosted this in-person event at the Roda Theater featuring UC Berkeley Chancellor Rich Lyons alongside changemaking leaders and prosocial scientists.
Together, they explored the power of kind leadership and tackled the tough questions:
- Do kind companies and leaders finish last—or does kindness actually pay off?
- How does prosocial leadership influence company performance and profitability?
- Is there a difference between being “nice” and being “kind”?
- Where does accountability come in?
Drawing on research of 3,500 CEOs, the panel challenged the notion that hustle-and-grind, profit-first cultures are the only path to success, showing how prioritizing kindness and employee well-being helps both organizations and their people thrive.
Speakers:
Rich Lyons: Chancellor, University of California, Berkeley
Yamini Rangan: CEO, HubSpot
Denis Ring: CEO, Ocho Chocolates / Whole Foods 365
Weili Ge: University of Washington
KeyAnna Schmiedl: Chief Human Experience Officer, Workhuman
Emiliana Simon-Thomas: GGSC Science Director
Kia Afcari: GGSC Facilitator
The Greater Good Science Center is funded by donations and grants. Your support helps us bring conversations like this to life—sharing research, stories, and practical tools that show how kindness and well-being can drive meaningful change in organizations and communities.
If this conversation resonated with you, please share it with a colleague or friend who might find it meaningful, or make a tax-deductible donation:
https://ggsc.berkeley.edu/donate
Subscribe for more research-based conversations on the science of a meaningful life.
Why Kind Leaders Win: Can kindness actually drive company profit? In this fun and honest on-stage conversation, luminary leaders share compelling stories, cutting-edge research, and practical tips on kind leadership as a driver of both personal well-being and organizational success.
The Greater Good Science Center, in partnership with the Berkeley Center for Workplace Culture and Innovation at Haas, hosted this in-person event at the Roda Theater featuring UC Berkeley Chancellor Rich Lyons alongside changemaking leaders and prosocial scientists.
Together, they explored the power of kind leadership and tackled the tough questions:
- Do kind companies and leaders finish last—or does kindness actually pay off?
- How does prosocial leadership influence company performance and profitability?
- Is there a difference between being “nice” and being “kind”?
- Where does accountability come in?
Drawing on research of 3,500 CEOs, the panel challenged the notion that hustle-and-grind, profit-first cultures are the only path to success, showing how prioritizing kindness and employee well-being helps both organizations and their people thrive.
Speakers:
Rich Lyons: Chancellor, University of California, Berkeley
Yamini Rangan: CEO, HubSpot
Denis Ring: CEO, Ocho Chocolates / Whole Foods 365
Weili Ge: University of Washington
KeyAnna Schmiedl: Chief Human Experience Officer, Workhuman
Emiliana Simon-Thomas: GGSC Science Director
Kia Afcari: GGSC Facilitator
The Greater Good Science Center is funded by donations and grants. Your support helps us bring conversations like this to life—sharing research, stories, and practical tools that show how kindness and well-being can drive meaningful change in organizations and communities.
If this conversation resonated with you, please share it with a colleague or friend who might find it meaningful, or make a tax-deductible donation:
https://ggsc.berkeley.edu/donate
Subscribe for more research-based conversations on the science of a meaningful life.
