ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book discusses kindness and its many manifestations which provides information on the origins and definitions of the word "kindness" and its religious, philosophical, scientific and artistic importance. It focuses on the types of organisations which do place an emphasis on kindness and some of the attributes of kind leaders. The book looks at the dominant beliefs of leaders whose behaviours are based on kindness and the triggers that influence leaders to make kindness-based choices. It considers the impact of adopting kindness in leadership and the barriers to its adoption. The book provides examples of actions and observations on kindness from a range of individual and focus group discussions with owners of independent businesses. It explores the extent to which kindness is perceived to be a prerequisite to sport and the barriers to kindness that exist.
