Do the KIND Thing

Think Boundlessly, Work Purposefully, Live Passionately

By: Daniel Lubetzky

Narrated by: Daniel Lubetzky

For the socially conscious, the intellectually curious, or the creative soul comes an inspiring, New York Times bestselling handbook for success in business, life, and the all-important task of building a more compassionate world—by the visionary founder and CEO of KIND Healthy Snacks.

When Daniel Lubetzky started KIND Healthy Snacks in 2004, he aimed to defy the conventional wisdom that snack bars could never be both tasty and healthy, convenient and wholesome. A decade later, the transformative power of the company’s “AND” philosophy has resulted in an astonishing record of achievement. KIND has become the fastest-growing purveyor of healthy snacks in the country. Meanwhile, the KIND Movement—the company’s social mission to make the world a little kinder—has sparked more than a million good deeds worldwide.

In Do the KIND Thing, Lubetzky shares the revolutionary principles that have shaped KIND’s business model and led to its success, while offering an unfiltered and intensely personal look into the mind of a pioneering social entrepreneur. Inspired by his father, who survived the Holocaust thanks to the courageous kindness of strangers, Lubetzky began his career handselling a sun-dried tomato spread made collaboratively by Arabs and Jews in the war-torn Middle East. Despite early setbacks, he never lost his faith in his vision of a “not-only-for-profit” business—one that sold great products and helped to make the world a better place.

While other companies let circumstances force them into choosing between two seemingly incompatible options, people at KIND say “AND.” At its core, this idea is about challenging assumptions and false compromises. It is about not settling for less and being willing to take greater risks, often financial. It is about learning to think boundlessly and critically, and choosing what at first may be the tougher path for later, greater rewards. By using illuminating anecdotes from his own career, and celebrating some past failures through the lessons learned from them, Lubetzky outlines his core tenets for building a successful business and a thriving social enterprise. He explores the value of staying true to your brand, highlights the importance of transparency and communication in the workplace, and explains why good intentions alone won’t sell products.

Engaging and inspirational, Do the KIND Thing shows how the power of AND worked wonders for one company—and could empower the next generation of social entrepreneurs to improve their bottom line and change the world.

Advance praise for Do the KIND Thing

“An enjoyable read . . . wise advice about matters from product development to people management.”—Financial Times

“By sharing the ten tenets that helped KIND grow, Daniel Lubetzky has given entrepreneurs a road map to success that includes both passion and purpose.”—Arianna Huffington, president and editor in chief, Huffington Post Media Group

“Lubetzky uses the power of kindness to build purpose into his business and his community. He’s a role model for future leaders.”—Mehmet Oz, M.D., professor of surgery, Columbia University

“I’ve always been a fan of the KIND brand. This engaging and inspirational book shows how coupling a social mission with creativity can spark change and empower a generation.”—Bobbi Brown, founder and CCO, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics

Critic reviews

Advance praise for Do the KIND Thing

“An enjoyable read . . . wise advice about matters from product development to people management.”—Financial Times

“Do the KIND Thing isn’t just a behind-the-scenes tour of one company’s staggering growth. It’s the story of one entrepreneur’s belief that success can be built on a foundation of empathy and, yes, kindness. By sharing the ten tenets that helped KIND grow, Daniel Lubetzky has given entrepreneurs a road map to success that includes both passion and purpose.”—Arianna Huffington, president and editor in chief, Huffington Post Media Group

“Lubetzky uses the power of kindness to build purpose into his business and his community. He’s a role model for future leaders.”—Mehmet Oz, M.D., professor of surgery, Columbia University

“I’ve always been a fan of the KIND brand. This engaging and inspirational book shows how coupling a social mission with creativity can spark change and empower a generation.”—Bobbi Brown, founder and CCO, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics

“Lubetzky has proven that financial success and achieving a social goal are not incompatible—a great lesson for entrepreneurs and for anyone who wants to do good. Do the KIND Thing succinctly explains the elements that lead to success in both realms, emphasizing the need for humility over vision and grit.”—Lester Crown, chairman, Henry Crown & Company

“Lubetzky has written the playbook for anyone with a passion and a vision for leveraging business as a tool for social change. His journey has been anything but easy and straightforward but his honest and at times hilarious descriptions of his many failures will serve all aspiring entrepreneurs.”—Pamela Hartigan, director, Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship, Saïd Business School University of Oxford

“In Do the KIND Thing, Daniel Lubetzky reminds us that doing well and doing good are not mutually exclusive. KIND is a stellar example of how a business can be both highly successful wbile also advancing a culture of decency and generosity.”—Richard Plepler, chairman and CEO, HBO

“This book is an invaluable practical guide to what it takes to create and run a business and a brand. Priceless examples of both successes and failures can be found throughout, together with the values of simplicity, trust, and transparency. By reading this book you learn business essentials; you will also come to know and love the man.”—Sir Mark Moody-Stuart, former chairman of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group and vice chairman of the UN Global Compact

Excellent leader

Great story and example
Good advice for entrepreneurs
Learning to avoid mistakes is a great lesson

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Great company!

This is a great book and the company Kind soul be a great one to be a part of! I appreciate all the time and work going into bringing this book! Many thanks!

Best management book ever!

As an executive coach I read at least two books a month on leadership. This book demonstrates how a company can embody all the best practices naturally and drive personal and professional growth to new heights! The stories are wonderful tales that demonstrate great practices in action. Will be required reading for all I advise!

Inspirational.

I loved listening to this book. The message was positive and poignant without cliché. Great stories and thoughtful lessons.

Recommend to anyone looking for inspiration to make their company or their personal lives great!

Great nuggets of values and wisdom in a boring genre

I’ve read too many books like this and most of them are boring and self congratulatory. This one is pleasantly not those. I wish I’d had it when starting my company.