With Special Guest: Michael Neece, President of Our Future Is Kind and Co-Founder of the Human Summit

In a marketplace driven by quarterly results, relentless urgency, and constant disruption, kindness rarely makes the shortlist of competitive strategies. But what if it should?

In this episode of Ask for Change, Meridith sits down with international bestselling author and kindness researcher Michael Neece to challenge the assumption that soft skills are secondary skills. Michael makes a compelling, data-backed case that kindness is not niceness - it's the foundation of psychological safety, the driver of team performance, and a measurable bottom-line differentiator.

They unpack Google's Project Aristotle research on high-performing teams, dig into the real cost of unkind workplace cultures (hint: your best people leave first), and discuss why ego management and focus management are essential components of genuine kindness. Meridith and Michael also address one of the hardest questions leaders face right now: how do you stay kind when uncertainty is fueling fear, anger, and unkindness all around you? The answer will challenge how you think about your daily choices as a leader. If you've been looking for a competitive edge you haven't tried yet, this episode will make you rethink everything.

Connect with Michael Neese:

Linkedin Primary

https://www.linkedin.com/in/yournextkeynotespeaker/

Linkedin Our Future is Kind

https://www.linkedin.com/company/our-future-is-kind

FB

https://www.facebook.com/meteormike/

IG

https://www.instagram.com/michaelgneece/

Youtube

www.youtube.com/@YourNextKeynoteSpeaker