Throughout my career, I’ve been shaped by moments of kindness—from people who welcomed me before they really knew me, mentors who took time to guide me, and colleagues who made me feel like I truly belonged. Most of those moments were small (and sometimes totally unexpected - like the day someone was kind to me before I’d even had coffee), but they changed me. And honestly, they still shape the kind of leader I’m working to be.
I’ve seen how one simple act of compassion can change the course of someone’s day - or even their whole outlook. It doesn’t have to be grand. Sometimes it’s as simple as noticing someone, listening a little longer, or offering a genuine word of encouragement (or letting them finish their sentence before the meeting clock runs out). Those small moments remind people they matter—and that can make all the difference.
To me, kindness starts with really listening. It’s choosing understanding over judgment, collaboration over competition, and people over politics (because we all have enough “reply all” energy in our lives already). When the world feels divided, kindness is one of the fastest ways to build trust, create belonging, and make space for people to speak up, grow, and lead.
As municipal clerks, we’re often right at the center of people, process, and (let’s be real) occasional conflict. We see folks on their best days… and the days they’ve been on hold for 20 minutes. In that space, kindness isn’t just a nice value - it’s a tool we can use to build trust, create a little more calm, and strengthen the communities we serve. When we lead with kindness, even in small ways, those actions ripple outward. They reinforce WMCA’s mission and remind us we’re not only administrators - we’re also stewards of goodwill.
And that’s what leadership looks like to me: not just managing work, but inspiring people - lifting others up, creating opportunities, and leaving things better than we found them. It’s not always glamorous (and there’s no cape—unless you have one, in which case, no judgment). When kindness and purpose come together, we don’t just lead—we make a real impact. We don’t just serve - we empower. And in the process, we build not only strong programs, but strong people, too.
So here’s my wish for all of us: let’s be the leaders who welcome first, the colleagues who listen a little longer, and the professionals who choose kindness on purpose—every single day. (Yes, even when your calendar is color-coded chaos and Outlook is feeling bold!)
Together, we can build a future that’s not only effective and successful, but also meaningful—and kind. And I’m all in for that.
