Join the Global Kindness Advisory Board & Open Water in a 'Live' International Seminar - December 3rd, 2025 @ 4 pm GMT | 11 am CET | 5 pm Europe
Discover the most powerful competitive advantage in today’s volatile landscape.
Trust in leadership is faltering across industries and geographies. 60 % of employees would take a pay cut for a better manager. In the UK alone, employment tribunals have doubled in two years, and stress-related work absenteeism costs now exceed the UK defence budget. These statistics signal that the current paradigm of what makes a good leader has become outdated.
Time for a New Leadership Paradigm?
The world of work has changed forever, yet many leaders are still operating with frameworks built for stability, not volatility. Despite decades of investment in leadership development, too many leaders still struggle to inspire trust, sustain change, or create lasting impact. The leadership models that once worked – power, control, even “authenticity” or “servant” leadership – weren’t designed for the volatility and scrutiny of today’s world.
Kindness As A Strategic Capability
Far from softness, kindness is the sharp edge of performance – a measurable behaviour grounded in Trust, Credibility, and Purpose that fuels clarity, accountability, and collaboration.
Open Water and the GKI are delighted to be hosting a live online conversation to coincide with the publication of the new book 'Kindness in Leadership: The Only Competitive Advantage in a Forever-Changing World;(Amazon books 2025) During a 1-hour session, Mark Will be joined by GKI’s global advisors, Jim Steele and Heather Swain to explore why Kindness in Leadership is the only competitive advantage.
The Queen Elizabeth II Commonwealth Trust
The Queen Elizabeth II Commonwealth Trust (QECT) and charity supports young social entrepreneurs across the 56 countries of the Commonwealth, helping them to transform their communities and improve employment opportunities.
In April 2026, QECT will mark the 100th anniversary of the late Queen’s birth with a series of commemorative events, culminating in a ceremony where His Majesty the King will present awards to 100 newly selected, exceptional Young Leaders from across the 56 Commonwealth countries. As part of his pro bono work representing the Worshipful Company of Management Consultants, Mark is supporting QECT’s fundraising efforts refining their existing methodology and helping craft a compelling pitch pack for sponsors and donors. This work may also involve collaboration with the Worshipful Company of Marketors. Mark is honoured to contribute to the next chapter of QECT’s impact and proud to support the April 2026 celebrations recognising 100 outstanding young leaders.
Our Why - Rachel's Story
Rachel's story is the driving force behind the founding of the Global Kindness Institute.
A pivotal life event sparked a profound friendship, igniting a purpose and bold ambition—to redefine leadership excellence along with a focus on transforming leadership with clarity, impact, and a commitment to meaningful change.
Kindness in Leadership: The Only Strategic Advantage In A Forever Changing World
Available now from Amazon - Please see purchase button below
Leadership is changing radically, irreversibly, and urgently. In a world defined by complexity, disruption, and rising demands for transparency, from the old paradigms of power and control to the more recent models of servant, authentic, and transformational leadership, none are truly fit for purpose in today’s world. They were built for stability, not complexity. Designed to manage, not to inspire. Even the most progressive leadership frameworks now struggle to meet the demands of a landscape defined by volatility and systemic accountability. After all, $bn's are invested in leadership development from world-renowned business schools to bespoke in-house frameworks and coaching pipelines. And yet, the question persists: Where are all the great leaders?
Despite the psychometrics, talent development models, and fast-track programs, we continue to produce leaders who struggle to navigate complexity, inspire trust, or deliver sustained change. The problem isn’t a lack of investment, it’s a failure of imagination. Kindness in Leadership doesn’t just critique the system. It offers a new blueprint, one that redefines the foundation of leadership excellence in a world that demands both exceptional workplaces and commercial impact. Kindness in Leadership introduces a new standard, one that doesn’t just adapt to change, but thrives. It reveals how kindness, when operationalised with Trust, Credibility, and Purpose, becomes the most powerful competitive advantage in today’s volatile landscape. This vision is powered by the introduction of the Kindness Quotient (KQ), a new way to measure leadership that strengthens both IQ and EQ via a unique 360° tool called KINDset, which measures Kindness In Leadership across seven key dimensions.
Written for both emerging and established leaders, reformers, and changemakers. Whether you're leading a team, shaping policy, or redefining organisational culture, Kindness in Leadership equips you with the tools to lead like the leader you always wished you'd had.