ABSTRACT
This chapter explores whether business schools should and are taking up the challenge of putting kindness on the agenda. It looks at the history and critiques of business school programmes and their implications for the inclusion of kindness in leadership programmes, and some research on the profiles of business school students. The chapter explores the promise currently made by leading business schools to potential Master of Business Administration (MBA) students, and perceptions of MBA students on the importance of kindness in leadership. Students felt that there were strong positive aspects to kindness as a leadership trait, but that its importance was dependent on context: highly important in health services, for instance. The chapter also looks at some training programmes, outside business schools that focus on empathy, compassion and kindness, and the opportunities that a greater focus on kindness in leadership might bring to the reputation of business schools and their impact on business thinking and behaviour.
