The Leadership Skill No One Talks About: Kindness | Ian Sandler | Purposeful Podcast

What if kindness isn’t a soft skill… but one of the most powerful leadership tools we have? In this episode of the Purposeful Podcast, Ashley Bernardi sits down with Ian Sandler, co-chair of Riley’s Way, a national nonprofit dedicated to empowering young leaders to create meaningful change through kindness, empathy, and connection.Ian’s journey is deeply personal. After the sudden loss of his daughter Riley at just nine years old, he and his family chose to honor her legacy by building something that would impact generations to come. What began in a hospital room has grown into a national movement, equipping young people with the tools, resources, and support to lead with purpose. This conversation goes beyond grief.It’s about redefining leadership. It’s about empowering the next generation. And it’s about recognizing that kindness, empathy, and emotional intelligence are not optional—they are essential in today’s world. A central truth from this episode: Kindness isn’t passive. It’s an active, strategic force for real change. What You’ll Learn:- Why kindness is a powerful (and overlooked) leadership skill- How Riley’s Way is empowering the next generation of change-makers- The importance of emotional intelligence in a world driven by AI- How young people are already creating meaningful impact- Why leadership needs to shift from authority to service- How to get involved and support the movement