James Rhee: The value of kindness at work | TED

Kindness can go a long way when it comes to reshaping a business. Having saved a fashion company from the brink of bankruptcy, entrepreneur James Rhee shares the value of investing in a culture of compassion at work -- and shows why we should all lead with our hearts.
Visit TED.com to get our entire library of TED Talks, transcripts, translations, personalized talk recommendations and more.
The TED Talks channel features the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and more. You're welcome to link to or embed these videos, forward them to others and share these ideas with people you know.
Become a TED Member: ted.com/membership
Follow TED on Twitter: / tedtalks
Like TED on Facebook: / ted
Subscribe to our channel: / ted
TED's videos may be used for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons License, Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives (or the CC BY - NC - ND 4.0 International) and in accordance with our TED Talks Usage Policy (www.ted.com/ab.... For more information on using TED for commercial purposes (e.g. employee learning, in a film or online course), please submit a Media Request at media-requests...

[@talisha5863]

I really appreciate the over-arching sentiment of James’ story which is that character matters. In the work force, we sometimes get caught up wanting to attain money and power but forget to acknowledge the efforts of the people around you that enabled your success. None of us become great on our own. Proverbs 27:17 “As irons sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another”👍🏽🙏🏾

[@laurabauml879]

Love this well-told story. Kindness in any form has ripple affects that may not be visible at first. I believe people are the greatest asset of any business; so glad to see a Ted Talk on this from a successful CEO. Thank you James Rhee

[@DerrickEdward]

First time I'm convinced goodwill is beneficial for business. Thank you James

[@figward]

Culture of Kindness. Love it. Thanks for sharing and adding value to my day.

[@renator.3903]

*This story could become a movie!*

[@soulstreams333]

Peace be with all of you and please be kind to yourselves. One Love 🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻

[@jackalmuiz]

Damn these onions James! I wish more people had your perspective of how business should be done.

[@Aquarius-216]

Good positive commentary.

[@enhuipan6200]

What a great lesson! It is true that people should be some kind type to be able to share and live together, to live as a comunity. But there are many very real issues that we have to facel because we are not all as kind as we would like to be. First of all, thank you for the lesson, for the talk, but I think that it would be better or something that coud be improved would be to let us know how to shoe that kindness to people you hate or don't get along with. It is true that the existence of kindness helps people to relate to each other, so that all races can be united as a whole, but there is always something missing in the middle. So, whether it is kindness or any other skill to improve people-to-people relationships, we all need to step up.

[@yeraytroncoso7042]

Genius leader changing the standard ir leadership and making ir more Human overall. GL for life

[@Nomorehats]

Definitely a fascinating case study on whether a "legacy" fast fashion brand was simply saved by adapting to social media, or goodwill was translated into real value. Perhaps it's a study on how a business like AS almost lost its way by focusing on the numbers side more than the human one. It's not a non-profit, but it's always been a business with social progress as it's goal. I wonder if their success was

[@FarbotBurunetNia]

Thank you.

[@jeffsellers25]

amazing stuff. thank you for sharing!

[@destinyforreal9744]

Wonderful speech

[@ioriflameheart3744]

we have to consider, you can't run a company through ideals alone. in order for a business/company to continue doing business, the employees must be properly compensated(enought to feed the family at least) first but yes kindness goes a long way

[@lisaspicer-simons8123]

I found this Ted Talk by James Rhee by reading the 12/2/2023 message of "Our Daily Bread" entitled, "Building Up Goodwill." Thanks for showing that "goodwill" is a valuable asset!

[@katherinebryan9921]

I just looked him up myself after the Our Daily Bread reference! I will watch it later. After I spend time with the Lord. God bless all my brothers and sisters out there. Maranatha

[@pamlaenger6870]

Me too. I wonder if Mr. Rhee is still friends with the boy he shared his lunch with. Praise God for Our Daily Bread!

[@Bill0102]

The wisdom of this content is a catalyst for personal and professional growth. A similar book I read opened new pathways for exploration. "Kindness Unveiled: A Journey to a Happier Life" by why i live a happy life

[@kelseywhelihan9659]

Cô giáo Mây thật chu đáo... Tết có nhạc mới thành mùa Xuân...!! Chúc Cô giáo năm nay cũng được Long Phụng sum vầy nhé...!!!❤👍

[@jrhfin1296]

Great vid

[@myukrainiandream]

Interesting story.)

[@RKO1988]

No one’s kind at work unless they want something in return or are being fake. Most people talk a good game but don’t help when the rubber hits the road

[@amythompson2714]

Cảm giác như mk đang đc nghe 1 bản nhạc chữa lành vậy đó. Giọng hát của đp rất đặc biệt, nhẹ nhàng tình cảm. Xem video thôi đã hay ntn r, ghen tị vs ekip qaa nghe hát live chắc hay gấp 💯lần lunn

[@wangjinwen7708]

Its like counting and tracking whatever gifts you give to your friends, parents.. scarily calculative

[@helper2566]

Cause I went on TED yesterday!

[@juliahart8593]

Link?

[@helper2566]

@@juliahart8593 I was at Texas state TED talk

[@Cybernaut551]

Ditto.

[@helper2566]

Where’s mine!!!

[@Whatever-mx3bt]

okay but some people are not doing so well, and don't have the energy or money to give. In fact, that work culture expectation of people being kind leads to sycophantism. You can be kind in other ways, encouragement and being positive. Otherwise those in need, like the homeless, deserve charity moreso.

[@ColRusSer]

It’s the golden rule, which is sorely missing from corporate America, and which is certainly the opposite of what drives Capitalism.

[@leannosborne2368]

No matter how great your game is, someone won't want to play. To live life to it's fullest is to be detached... Nothing owning you. Each emotion to be felt from ones soul all the way through then moving forward with open eyes and a open heart. We must cause pain in life's just as we must cause good in life's of others. With pain comes growth with not knowing limits pushes us to surpass limitations. We can grow and want better for humanity but most discuss small ideas of what ifs and never attempt to try. Hurt people hurt people. :'(

[@PranjalSingh]

What a waste of time

[@therapeutic-coaches]

I found this Ted Talk thanks to Brené Brown's Dare to Lead Podcast. James Rhee has such an important lesson for our time and has demonstrated that we don't have to sell out our humanity to create and lead successful businesses. I hope this inspires more leaders to put people, communities and planet before profit ... it is the reset many of us are longing for.

[@wille2680]

Too many people have gotten away with too much. When they pay, I'll be nice.

[@pawankanpura]

Good night all KZbin channels

[@christianb8228]

Good morning

[@pawankanpura]

@@christianb8228 good night h bhai

[@yamyefet4250]

Kindness requires a little energy, to create bigger energy

[@violetamilanovic8638]

Thank you for the inspiring story!

[@malayalamwriter]

His story will inspire more people

[@destinyforreal9744]

I am so glad that G-D blessed him and his work

[@Schiffon]

People with basic kindness who aren’t educated in business are extremely needed in the Homecare industry, especially in New Hampshire ♥️ Please help we who can no longer care for ourselves 🙏♥️ Thank you 😊

[@Abell_lledA]

One doesn’t experience self-transcendence, the illusion of self only dissipates 🎈

[@hukawngshayi]

Thank you very much for your sharing.

[@eftsoulpath333]

Wow❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@hafezulislam6028]

.......

[@blessups7903]

Please talk to tiny giant AKA Jeff Steinberg

[@stefannikola]

He’s a nice guy, but this talk is boring and the topic is pie in the sky.

[@庞伟伟]

I would like to say if you put the captions on that will be very helpful to the audience who not good at English

[@MethodMain]

for a second I thought he was a Markiplier

[@charnessapleasant9474]

This was excellent. Just excellent

[@stratotesphoenix4085]

Kindness is Priceless

[@Gin-kz5ss]

Ack feelings

[@dbunnysport]

Beautiful story. I hope more companies take this to heart.

[@Stocklaw]

Just don’t be a jerk. Let’s not make work woke.

[@MarjanSI]

🤦

[@greeneyedcat2748]

Kindness is foundered by those that were truly broken 💔.

[@eluz8856]

💯

[@IRosamelia]

Really? An ex of mine was broken from bad parenting and he wasn't kind but the exact opposite 🤔

[@greeneyedcat2748]

@@IRosamelia When someone is broken from childhood it can result in narssasism or empathy, I don't pretend to know why..

[@verandisoldusty6834]

When you're expecting a lecture on, "The Value of Kindness" but get a lecture on, "fairy-tale business management" 😀😐😒🙄.

[@destinyforreal9744]

What an amazing man.