Daniel Lubezky, the founder of KIND Snacks, host of “Build or Break,” and “Shark Tank” investor, explains why real kindness at work means honest feedback rather than simple niceness.
How have you used kindness to make people feel seen and engaged in the workplace?
Kindness in the workplace is a superpower, but only if you are actually being kind, not nice. The two get confused all the time, but they are very different. It may seem nice to hold back on pointing out how a teammate fell short, but the kind thing to do would be to explain constructively how they could have done better. If you care about their growth, if you respect them enough to be honest, you are going to give them the feedback that will help them reach their fullest potential. When you do that respectfully, that is real kindness.
Have you seen a generational shift in the way people define employee well-being?
At KIND, we always championed what we called an “ownership mentality.” Not only did every team member have stock options, but it was also about how we showed up for each other. We all felt shared responsibility for reaching our shared goals, and with that responsibility came enormous power. I have four teenagers. My hope for them is that they never feel like victims of a system, but rather like protagonists in their own lives.
How can HR leaders utilize AI to enhance employee engagement and reduce burnout?
At the bare minimum, AI can be enormously effective at improving team member efficiency. That can result in happier teammates and better outcomes for the organization. At our investment company, Camino Partners, we asked every team member to outline which regular rote tasks were a pain point in their workday. We uncovered a ton of opportunities where AI could dramatically reduce the time and energy spent on those tasks. That frees up more space for team members to think critically, be creative, and solve problems asymmetrically.
What is one piece of advice you would give to HR leaders looking to foster a more inclusive workplace environment?
We are all human beings with families, struggles, and more going on than meets the eye. Treating one another with respect, acknowledging the fundamental dignity of every single person regardless of superficial differences, is our duty to each other.
On top of that, we are all enriched by a more ideologically diverse culture. We should actively bring in different perspectives to every conversation. We should respectfully challenge one another. This is how the free marketplace of ideas thrives, when we create an open forum where the best ideas can rise to the top.
How can HR leaders provide their employees with financial support and education?
First and foremost, if you have the opportunity to empower team members to participate in the financial success of the company, as KIND did in giving equity to every team member, this can be financially transformative for team members.
