--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I talk about kindness in business, a…" description: "\"“When I talk about kindness in business, a few people scoff. They say, “Steve Jobs and the leaders at Apple created a pressure-cooker environment but i..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b5/brian-de-haaff-20655_better-tomorrow_when-i-talk-about-kindness-in-business-a_282243.jpg" --- # When I talk about kindness in business, a few people… ![“When I talk about kindness in business, a few people scoff. They say, “Steve Jobs and the leaders at Apple created a pressure-cooker environment but it produced category-defining products that people love and obsess over.” That is the point — the results are not worth the cost, because there is an…” quote by Brian de Haaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b5/brian-de-haaff-20655_better-tomorrow_when-i-talk-about-kindness-in-business-a_282243.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b5/brian-de-haaff-20655_better-tomorrow_when-i-talk-about-kindness-in-business-a_282243.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b5/brian-de-haaff-20655_better-tomorrow_when-i-talk-about-kindness-in-business-a_282243.jpg) > ““When I talk about kindness in business, a few people scoff. They say, “Steve Jobs and the leaders at Apple created a pressure-cooker environment but it produced category-defining products that people love and obsess over.” That is the point — the results are not worth the cost, because there is an alternative. The goal of TRM is to create a kind, sustainable, and fulfilling experience for everyone. Caring and a sense of purpose evoke better performance than pressure and fear. The idea that only obsessive egomaniacs can produce breakthroughs is nonsense. People are the most important resource for any business, and people — whether they are employees, vendors, or customers — respond best to kindness, respect, humility, and empathy. You never know what other people are going through in their lives. Many of us are under great stress, especially when business cycles shift and economic pressures build. Others are struggling in relationships. When everyone feels valued and heard, they are more likely to show up fully and bring their best each day. Kindness is the alternative to the unnecessary “business is war” analogies that are not only tiresome but borderline offensive. It is the opposite of the “outcome justified the means” mentality that drives many entrepreneurs to consider sacrificing everything (including their morals) to build $100 million businesses in seven years. It’s success without the collateral damage. This aspect of TRM creates a healthy framework for daily interactions and long-term goals and helps people avoid burnout even when they put in heavy hours over long periods of time. We are all naturally optimistic, motivated to be better tomorrow than we are today. A kind organization understands that and leverages it. Your goal is to build a product that lasts, but to do that, you must also build an organization, a work environment, and a fabric of relationships that last too. People will remain engaged and focused on achievements when they are doing something meaningful that they care about in an organization that lets them live the way they want to live. “Caring and a sense of purpose evoke better performance than pressure and fear. The idea that only egomaniacs can produce breakthroughs is nonsense.”” [Brian de Haaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-de-haaff/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Kindness in business yields sustainable performance, outperforming pressure‑driven tactics. **In simple terms:** Kindness boosts results better than fear. Key Takeaway Prioritize empathy over intimidation. Themes leadership culture wellbeing performance ethics Mood inspired optimistic thoughtful Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - team meetings - customer service - product development - crisis management Key Concepts psychological safety intrinsic motivation human‑centered design Questions to Reflect On - How can you embed kindness without sacrificing speed? - What metrics reveal empathy’s impact on outcomes? A Different Perspective May overlook competitive urgency; some markets demand rapid, high‑pressure execution. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Better tomorrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-tomorrow/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Collateral damage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/collateral-damage/) [Empathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empathy/) [Kindness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kindness/) [Kindness Respect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kindness-respect/) [Work environment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work-environment/) ## Related quotes > [“Kindness is not a business. True kindness expects nothing in return and should never act with conditions.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-t-bennett/kindness-is-not-a-business-true-kindness-expects-nothing-in-return/) [Roy T. Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-t-bennett/) > [The more we talk about kindness in business, the more we'll break through the hard structures that have defined business and alienated women from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-portas/the-more-we-talk-about-kindness-in-business-the-more-we-ll-break/) [Mary Portas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-portas/) > [“When you see people doing meaningless things, you must remind yourself that it is easier for people to do meaningless things than doing meaningful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/when-you-see-people-doing-meaningless-things-you-must-remind-yourself/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [“Philosophy may be sometimes hard to grasp, but it is profoundly meaningful. Mudding the waters under the pretense of doing something meaningful and great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dejan-stojanovic/philosophy-may-be-sometimes-hard-to-grasp-but-it-is-profoundly/) [Dejan Stojanovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dejan-stojanovic/) > [You never know that the things you're doing are that meaningful to society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ma/you-never-know-that-the-things-you-re-doing-are-that-meaningful-to-2/) [Jack Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ma/) > [As long as you believe what you’re doing is meaningful, you can cut through fear and exhaustion and take the next step.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arlene-blum/as-long-as-you-believe-what-you-re-doing-is-meaningful-you-can-cut/) [Arlene Blum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arlene-blum/) > [I like to be spoken about only when I am doing meaningful work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/priyanshu-chatterjee/i-like-to-be-spoken-about-only-when-i-am-doing-meaningful-work/) [Priyanshu Chatterjee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/priyanshu-chatterjee/) > [“You never know that the things you’re doing are that meaningful to society.” – Jack Ma”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/think-maverick/you-never-know-that-the-things-you-re-doing-are-that-meaningful-to/) Think Maverick > [It seems to me every one of us is doing something meaningful for this world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yani-tseng/it-seems-to-me-every-one-of-us-is-doing-something-meaningful-for-this/) [Yani Tseng](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yani-tseng/) > [“At the end of the day or week or month what really matters is that you & your loved ones are safe & well,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajesh-goyal-2/at-the-end-of-the-day-or-week-or-month-what-really-matters-is-that/) [Rajesh Goyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajesh-goyal-2/) > [Respect kindly all religions that teach loving kindness, and have no respect for envy and jealousy. Never follow hate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jetsunma-ahkon-lhamo/respect-kindly-all-religions-that-teach-loving-kindness-and-have-no/) [Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jetsunma-ahkon-lhamo/) > [I came from the theater. It takes a team. We need everyone. It's not just No. 1 on the call sheet. I love to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katy-mixon/i-came-from-the-theater-it-takes-a-team-we-need-everyone-it-s-not/) [Katy Mixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katy-mixon/) > [Show kindness and respect to everyone. Pure intentions make the biggest difference.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacy-keibler/show-kindness-and-respect-to-everyone-pure-intentions-make-the/) [Stacy Keibler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacy-keibler/) > [My friends at PeTA India and I encourage everyone to treat animals with kindness and respect, just as we all want to be treated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dutee-chand/my-friends-at-peta-india-and-i-encourage-everyone-to-treat-animals/) [Dutee Chand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dutee-chand/) > [Treat everyone with kindness and respect, even those who are rude to you not because theyre nice, but because you are. Its important to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/treat-everyone-with-kindness-and-respect-even-those-who-are-rude-to/) [Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/) ## More by Brian de Haaff > [“Caring and a sense of purpose evoke better performance than pressure and fear. The idea that only obsessive egomaniacs can produce breakthroughs is nonsense.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-de-haaff/caring-and-a-sense-of-purpose-evoke-better-performance-than-pressure/) [Brian de Haaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-de-haaff/) > [“It is hard to find many better examples of values-first leadership than Ventura, California-based outdoor clothing company Patagonia. For more than 30 years, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-de-haaff/it-is-hard-to-find-many-better-examples-of-values-first-leadership/) [Brian de Haaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-de-haaff/) > [“I suggest that you think about your customer’s journey as a unified experience that has three key phases: motivation, education, and adoption. Motivation refers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-de-haaff/i-suggest-that-you-think-about-your-customer-s-journey-as-a-unified/) [Brian de Haaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-de-haaff/) > [“The idea of putting customers first and acting with integrity is gaining traction. Outdoor-gear retailer REI received adulation for adhering to its values when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-de-haaff/the-idea-of-putting-customers-first-and-acting-with-integrity-is/) [Brian de Haaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-de-haaff/) > [“For example, every year, I rent Intuit’s TurboTax so I can do my income taxes. I pay for something I only need for a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-de-haaff/for-example-every-year-i-rent-intuit-s-turbotax-so-i-can-do-my-income/) [Brian de Haaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-de-haaff/) > [“Charles Du designed NASA’s first iPhone app, an award winner and a huge hit with more than 10 million downloads. But he also faced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-de-haaff/charles-du-designed-nasa-s-first-iphone-app-an-award-winner-and-a/) [Brian de Haaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-de-haaff/) > [“A great story about a big company’s ability to do this comes from one of the world’s biggest businesses, General Electric. I learned about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-de-haaff/a-great-story-about-a-big-company-s-ability-to-do-this-comes-from-one/) [Brian de Haaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-de-haaff/) > [“Product managers are the connection between customers and the engineers who build the product. You are a bridge between what customers say and what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-de-haaff/product-managers-are-the-connection-between-customers-and-the/) [Brian de Haaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-de-haaff/) > [“Persson did not create Minecraft because he wanted to create a billion-dollar company; he loved video games and kept his day job while developing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-de-haaff/persson-did-not-create-minecraft-because-he-wanted-to-create-a/) [Brian de Haaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-de-haaff/) > [“There are many ways to earn the love of employees. Hamdi Ulukaya, founder of multi-billion dollar yogurt maker Chobani, made headlines when he awarded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-de-haaff/there-are-many-ways-to-earn-the-love-of-employees-hamdi-ulukaya/) [Brian de Haaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-de-haaff/) > [“Harvard economist Theodore Levitt was the first authority to write about what he called the total product.2 A total product has four dimensions that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-de-haaff/harvard-economist-theodore-levitt-was-the-first-authority-to-write/) [Brian de Haaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-de-haaff/) > [“Love is the surprising emotion that company builders cannot ignore.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-de-haaff/love-is-the-surprising-emotion-that-company-builders-cannot-ignore/) [Brian de Haaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-de-haaff/) > [“On March 31, 2016, Securities and Exchange Commission chair Mary Jo White said this to the students of Stanford Law School: Nearly all venture…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-de-haaff/on-march-31-2016-securities-and-exchange-commission-chair-mary-jo/) [Brian de Haaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-de-haaff/) > [“The behavior of businesses that I have already talked about — as well as well-publicized customer service fiascos (like Costco’s transition to only accept…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-de-haaff/the-behavior-of-businesses-that-i-have-already-talked-about-as-well/) [Brian de Haaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-de-haaff/) > [“Commerce does not have to be a ruthless, brutal enterprise that damages people’s lives. It can be a source of happiness, healing, and hope.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-de-haaff/commerce-does-not-have-to-be-a-ruthless-brutal-enterprise-that/) [Brian de Haaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-de-haaff/) [Explore all 29 Brian de Haaff quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-de-haaff/) ## More Better tomorrow quotes > [I would like to tell you that it will be better tomorrow, But I've been through so many tomorrows and nothing has ever changed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/unkown/i-would-like-to-tell-you-that-it-will-be-better-tomorrow-but-i-ve/) Unkown > [Start everyday with a new hope leave bad memories behind and have faith for a better tomorrow …](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexa-dolmo/start-everyday-with-a-new-hope-leave-bad-memories-behind-and-have/) [Alexa Dolmo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexa-dolmo/) > [How do you become better tomorrow? By improving yourself, the world is made better. Be not afraid of growing too slowly. Be afraid of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/how-do-you-become-better-tomorrow-by-improving-yourself-the-world-is/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“On Dreams Only one thing supersedes the importance of thinking about a better tomorrow. It's taking action today.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-lowry/on-dreams-only-one-thing-supersedes-the-importance-of-thinking-about/) [Vincent Lowry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-lowry/) > [There's nothing I believe in more strongly than getting young people interested in science and engineering, for a better tomorrow, for all humankind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-nye/there-s-nothing-i-believe-in-more-strongly-than-getting-young-people/) [Bill Nye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-nye/) > [I have seen the rise and fall of Nazi tyranny, the subsequent cold war and the nuclear nightmare that for fifty years haunted the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/i-have-seen-the-rise-and-fall-of-nazi-tyranny-the-subsequent-cold-war/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [“Reading can lead a person towards better tomorrow.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abid-hussain-library-officer/reading-can-lead-a-person-towards-better-tomorrow/) [Abid Hussain Library Officer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abid-hussain-library-officer/) > [I believe that having something to hope for - even if it's just a better tomorrow- is the most powerful drug on this planet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/i-believe-that-having-something-to-hope-for-even-if-it-s-just-a/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [Living in present moment with hope & satisfaction lays down pillar of better tomorrow. Make the past as passing by memory , enjoy present…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dranil-kr-sinha/living-in-present-moment-with-hope-satisfaction-lays-down-pillar-of/) [DrAnil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dranil-kr-sinha/) > [Be grateful that you are still alive, still kicking, and still able to fight another day, because not everyone was even fortunate enough to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/be-grateful-that-you-are-still-alive-still-kicking-and-still-able-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“In order to shape a better tomorrow, we need to think and feel better today.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angel-sefer/in-order-to-shape-a-better-tomorrow-we-need-to-think-and-feel-better/) [Angel Sefer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angel-sefer/) > [“I began to fear that constant hoping might cause me to sacrifice today for the illusion of a better tomorrow." - The Last Self-Help…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-pearsall/i-began-to-fear-that-constant-hoping-might-cause-me-to-sacrifice/) [Paul Pearsall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-pearsall/) > [I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-ve-learned-that-no-matter-what-happens-or-how-bad-it-seems-today/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Sometimes you have to laugh through the tears, smile through the years, go through the sorrow, for a better tomorrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cristina-orante/sometimes-you-have-to-laugh-through-the-tears-smile-through-the-years/) [Cristina Orante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cristina-orante/) > [“What is hope? Is it the ambition of discovering for the first time what the carnal definition of physical love is without understanding the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivan-rusilko/what-is-hope-is-it-the-ambition-of-discovering-for-the-first-time/) [Ivan Rusilko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivan-rusilko/) [Browse all 215 Better tomorrow quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-tomorrow/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“When I talk about kindness in business, a few people scoff. They say, “Steve Jobs and the leaders at Apple created a pressure-cooker environment but it produced category-defining products that people love and obsess over.” That is the point — the results are not worth the cost, because there is an alternative. The goal of TRM is to create a kind, sustainable, and fulfilling experience for everyone. Caring and a sense of purpose evoke better performance than pressure and fear. The idea that only obsessive egomaniacs can produce breakthroughs is nonsense. People are the most important resource for any business, and people — whether they are employees, vendors, or customers — respond best to kindness, respect, humility, and empathy. You never know what other people are going through in their lives. Many of us are under great stress, especially when business cycles shift and economic pressures build. Others are struggling in relationships. When everyone feels valued and heard, they are more likely to show up fully and bring their best each day. Kindness is the alternative to the unnecessary “business is war” analogies that are not only tiresome but borderline offensive. It is the opposite of the “outcome justified the means” mentality that drives many entrepreneurs to consider sacrificing everything (including their morals) to build $100 million businesses in seven years. It’s success without the collateral damage. This aspect of TRM creates a healthy framework for daily interactions and long-term goals and helps people avoid burnout even when they put in heavy hours over long periods of time. We are all naturally optimistic, motivated to be better tomorrow than we are today. A kind organization understands that and leverages it. Your goal is to build a product that lasts, but to do that, you must also build an organization, a work environment, and a fabric of relationships that last too. People will remain engaged and focused on achievements when they are doing something meaningful that they care about in an organization that lets them live the way they want to live. “Caring and a sense of purpose evoke better performance than pressure and fear. 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