The Anatomy of Kindness

Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

Documentaries

Factual

Using evidence from the BBC Kindness Test, Claudia Hammond asks what it means to be kind.

Broadcaster, author and psychologist Claudia Hammond interrogates what it means to be kind, who we are kind to and the benefits of being a kind boss.

Using evidence from the BBC Kindness Test, neuroscientists and evolutionary psychologists, broadcaster, author and psychologist Claudia Hammond interrogates what it means to be kind, who we are kind to and the benefits of being a kind boss.

BBC Radio 4 FM

The Anatomy of Kindness: 30/03/2022

30/03/2022

BBC Radio 4 - The Anatomy of Kindness, 30/03/2022

Claudia Hammond asks 'Can bosses be kind?'

Using evidence from the Kindness test, the world's largest psychological study into kindness, Claudia Hammond meets managers and researchers to ask 'Can bosses be kind?'

In the final part of the Anatomy of Kindness, Claudia Hammond and guests ask 'Can bosses be kind'? Using evidence from the Kindness Test, the world's largest psychological study into kindness, Claudia starts her quest with Thom Elliot Co-founder of Pizza Pilgrims, who deliberately set out to foster a kind culture in a sector not exactly known for its benevolence.  They're joined for pizza by Prof Robin Banerjee, architect of the Kindness Test to discuss the findings and examine whether kindness in business really does result in success. Joe Folkman is the perfect person to ask. He runs an evidence based leadership development firm and produced a fascinating  study "I'm a boss why should I care if you like me"?  It turns out there's a strong correlation between being likeable and effectiveness. Such concepts are backed up by a  relatively new field of research called 'ethical leadership' pioneered by Professor Mike Brown. But 60,000 people who took part in the Kindness Test revealed time pressures as one of the barriers to being kind, so how easy is it to be a kind leader on a day to day basis? Claudia meets former head teacher Ros McMullen who tells some home truths about leadership in a culture of relentless pressure and accountability. Plus Lisa Smosarski, editor in Chief of Stylist magazine shares shocking office stories of the 'Devil Wears Prada' era and discusses wider societal shifts that may be contributing to a kinder culture in her industry. And Claudia's fellow science presenters, Robin Ince, Hannah Fry and Marnie Chesterton recall some old bad boss stories of their own.

Producer, Erika Wright

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Anatomy of Kindness

30/03/2022

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4