Kindness: The Unsung Founder Superpower

I recently watched the new Superman film, and what resonated with me most wasn't the flying or the super strength, but the underlying message of Superman being an inherently kind person. That powerful idea - that true strength often lies in unwavering kindness - is what inspired me to write this.

You hear a lot about grit, resilience, and vision when it comes to building a startup. And yes, those are essential. But after years in the trenches, through pivots, triumphs, and the inevitable gut-punches, I've come to believe in another, often overlooked, superpower: kindness.

It might sound soft in a world that praises aggressive growth and "eating glass," but I've seen first-hand how far it goes. Kindness isn't weakness; it's a strategic advantage, a foundational principle, and frankly, a path to a more fulfilling journey.

Why Kindness Matters More Than You Think

• For your team: Startups are intense. People pour their lives into your vision. When you lead with empathy, you build loyalty, foster psychological safety, and create an environment where people feel valued, not just utilised. They'll go the extra mile for you not out of fear, but out of genuine respect and a shared sense of purpose. I've learned that a team built on trust and mutual respect can weather any storm.
• For your users/customers: In a noisy world, genuine care for the people you serve cuts through. It's not about being "nice"; it's about deeply understanding their needs, respecting their time, and being transparent. That builds lasting relationships and advocates, not just transactions.
• For your co-founders & mentors: The startup journey can be incredibly lonely. Your co-founder, your mentors - these relationships are your lifeline. Nurture them with honesty, gratitude, and a willingness to be vulnerable. The wisdom, perspective, and unwavering support I've received from those relationships have been invaluable, often coming when I needed them most.
• For yourself: The pressure is immense. It's easy to get consumed by metrics, fundraising, and external validation. But remembering to lead with kindness - not just for others, but for yourself - helps maintain your well-being. It grounds you. It reminds you of the human element in everything you do. And honestly, it makes the journey more enjoyable, even when you're "eating glass."

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Lifting Each Other Up

In the last few weeks, I've been spending a lot of time at meetups around London, meeting incredible people at all different stages of their entrepreneurial journey. I always try to lead with kindness and respect because everyone's path is unique, and everyone faces their own battles.

When I speak to another founder, especially if I see them pushing hard and giving it their all, my natural instinct is to give them the boost they need. It's about that simple encouragement, that reminder to "Just keep going. It's so important to not give up."

Sometimes, those words hit harder than you expect. Like my friend Natalie (co-founder of her startup gitlip.com) recently told me, "Every time you say this, it really helps." It reminds me of Captain America - not because of the shield or the superpowers, but because he always gets back up, even when he's beaten to bits, even when no one is looking. That's why he's my favourite superhero.

We all struggle every day. Building something from scratch means doing the tough jobs, even the unglamorous ones like writing a financial forecast with all its EBITDA. But it's that act of getting back up after every stumble, every setback, that truly matters.

I recently had a conversation with a Head of Growth candidate for a role we're hiring for, and we spoke about something crucial I've learned from podcasts like 'Startups For The Rest Of Us': the difference between a blindspot and a weakspot. We can remove all of our blindspots simply by acknowledging that an area is something we're not good at, and then actively trying to address it. If we just hide away from something we're not good at, then it remains a blindspot, holding us back. This level of self-awareness and willingness to confront challenges is key to growth.

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Building a company is hard. It will test your limits in ways you can't imagine. But how you treat people along the way - your team, your customers, your co-founders, and even yourself - will define not just your company's legacy, but your own.

So, as you build, disrupt, and innovate, remember to be kind. It might just be the most impactful decision you make.

Two songs that inspire me right to write this: