David R. Hamilton

Dr. David R. Hamilton, Ph.D. has shown us how kindness benefits an individual's physical and mental health. Now, in emphasizing the importance of kindness in leadership for the health of any company or organization, he reveals once again how kindness is a powerful tool which, when used wisely, can prove transformational.

Based on the 'Lead With Kindness' chapter in Dr. Hamilton's newest book, The Joy of Actually Giving a F*ck, this talk offers eight ways leaders can create an environment where people feel heard, valued, and respected. In turn, kind leaders will foster strong relationships so crucial for teamwork and collaboration. As Dr. Hamilton demonstrates, kindness in leadership also promotes: 

• Increased Trust
• Higher Employee Retention
• Reduced Staff Turnover
• Better Decision-Making
• Positive Organizational Culture

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In a culture that feels safe, friends and colleagues will stretch themselves, tapping into their creativity and inner resources in ways unavailable to them in more restricted or fearful cultures. In any business and organization, it's a route to creative and unexpected solutions.

From this talk, audiences will learn to view kindness not simply as a moral imperative, but as a practical and strategic approach to leadership, resulting in better outcomes for individuals and organizations.

David defines self esteem as an inner sense of worthiness and value. I discuss the ’3 stages of self love’ that a person goes through as they develop their self esteem – I am not enough, I have had enough, I am enough. He also explains simple principles for ’wiring in’ a greater sense of self esteem into the brain by harnessing the two-way body-mind and mind-body connection. And he will cover how to replace self criticism with self compassion, and share some simple practices, I discuss how vulnerability can be a strength, and why being yourself can be a healthy way to develop self esteem.

David discusses how kindness impacts mental and physical health and how it is contagious. Research shows that kindness boosts happiness and is also protective against depression. These effects are due to kindness activating and causing physical change in key brain regions. Kindness also impacts the heart and immune system through production of ’kindness hormones’, which are akin to stress hormones, but opposite in their effects. He also discusses the importance of kindness to one’s self – what it is and tools for how to practice it. And kindness is contagious. In fact, it is one of the most contagious of phenomena known to science, with an R-number of between 4 and 5.

David discusses the mind-body connection and how to harness is to optimize health and wellness. He covers the placebo effect and the impact of belief on health, how mind and emotions impact the brain and body, how meditation affects the brain, how visualization can alter brain circuits and can be targeted to different parts of the body. He will also share examples of visualization strategies used by people around the world that helped facilitate their recoveries from injury and illness and teach the simple principles involved.