In her book Lieve leiders (translated: Kind Leaders), Marianne Janssen makes a heartfelt call for more leaders who combine care with courage—leaders who are attentive to others yet unafraid to stand their ground. These “kind leaders” embody a delicate balance: they set clear boundaries while simultaneously inspiring deep loyalty and affection. Janssen calls this “loving boundaries,” a concept that is rooted in attention and clarity.
The book is a pleasure to read, enriched with vivid examples drawn from Janssen’s own extensive experience as an executive and consultant. What stands out most is her unmistakable love for people. “I am about relationships,” she writes, and this conviction permeates the entire book. This will resonate with some leaders, but leave others baffled who work in environments that are characterized by profit maximization. Janssen reminds her readers that organizations are not just contractual entities but social communities where leadership is fundamentally about human connection. Employees want to be seen as people first, not just as resources.
Janssen sets a high bar for what it means to be a kind leader. They need to embody amongst others:
• Hospitality and genuine warmth toward candidates and colleagues alike
• An understanding that collaboration hinges on relationships, not just tasks
• Resisting the temptation to hire people who merely mirror themselves
• Recognizing that their behavior sets the cultural norm
• Empathy and active efforts to be approachable, including seeking out stories from others
• Organize compassionate farewells when people need to leave the organization
• Openness about themselves and flexibility to change course when necessary
• Sharp awareness of interpersonal dynamics and clear communication of personal and team boundaries
• Protecting their teams from unhealthy external pressures and having the courage to say no
• Working from consensus and aligning words with actions
• Compassion for the losses that change inevitably brings
• Seeing their organization as an integral part of society, focusing on possibilities rather than limitations
• Creating a safe foundation and fostering societal engagement
This is not a checklist for the faint-hearted. Janssen’s kind leaders are deeply human, yet they carry a weight of responsibility with grace and resolve. They believe that leadership is about more than just results—it’s about relationships, courage, and care- and that it is a human art, requiring love as much as strength. Janssen’s book is “for bosses who want to be better”.
Marianne Janssen. Lieve leiders, . Boom 2025
