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What does it mean to have a Chief Kindness Officer?

In Season 7, Episode 4 of Del Talk, host and Chief Production Officer Delfino Aguilar sits down with Mindy Stearns, Chief Kindness Officer at Kind Lending, for a conversation about redefining leadership through kindness, emotional intelligence, and a people-first culture.

Together, they explore what it means to build a company differently and why leading with kindness doesn't mean lowering expectations. It means raising the standard for how people are treated while driving meaningful business results.

Building Kind Differently

From the beginning, Kind Lending was created with the belief that people perform at their highest level when they feel valued, heard, and appreciated.

During the conversation, Mindy shares how she and Glenn Stearns approached building Kind Lending differently and why culture was never treated as an afterthought. Instead, kindness, respect, and servant leadership became part of the company’s foundation.

The episode also explores the intentional steps leaders can take to strengthen culture as an organization grows. From employee engagement to retention and performance, Mindy discusses how a people-first environment can positively influence both the employee experience and the business.

Understanding the ROI of Kindness

Kindness is often viewed as a personal value, but Mindy explains why it can also be a meaningful business advantage.

The ROI of kindness can be seen in stronger relationships, more engaged teams, improved collaboration, and workplaces where people feel empowered to do their best work.

Mindy and Del also address a common misconception: that kindness and accountability cannot coexist. Effective leadership does not require choosing between supporting people and maintaining high expectations. Leaders can communicate clearly, hold teams accountable, and still approach every interaction with empathy and respect.

That balance can become even more important during challenging market cycles, when employees and leaders must navigate uncertainty together.

Emotional Intelligence and Women in Leadership

The conversation also highlights the growing importance of emotional intelligence in today’s workplace.

Qualities such as empathy, self-awareness, communication, and relationship-building can help leaders better understand their teams, navigate challenges, and create stronger connections.

Mindy shares her perspective on women in leadership, and the impact diverse leadership teams can have on culture, innovation, and performance. She also offers encouragement for women entering the mortgage industry and reflects on the leadership qualities the next generation will need to succeed.

Creating a Lasting Impact

Culture is shaped by the choices people make every day.

Throughout the episode, Mindy emphasizes that kindness is not simply something an organization says. It is demonstrated through the way leaders communicate, the way teams support one another, and the way people are treated during both successful and difficult moments.

The conversation closes with a reminder that the legacy of an organization is not only defined by what it accomplishes, but also by how people feel while helping build it.

Watch Del Talk Season 7, Episode 4

If you've ever wondered what it looks like to build a company where kindness is more than a core value, this episode offers an inside look at the philosophy behind Kind Lending's culture.

Watch the full conversation as Del and Mindy discuss kindness, emotional intelligence, leadership, and why putting people first continues to be a competitive advantage.

Watch Season 7, Episode 4: Click to Watch

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