Leadership and generosity: the butterfly effect that transforms performance

In business, we talk about governance, strategy, and performance.
We rarely talk about generosity.

And yet, it is often the simplest and most sincere gestures that create the most powerful dynamics.

When generosity inspires performance

Last week, a CEO sent me a bouquet of flowers at the end of a governance advisory project.
The gesture wasn’t expected. It wasn’t contractual. It wasn’t “necessary.”

And yet, it had an immediate impact: renewed energy, a stronger drive to aim higher, and the commitment to maintain a demanding standard.

A few days later, I found myself offering an extra day of work to another client. Again, outside the contract. But I could feel that this was a turning point in her trajectory, a moment that could change everything.

Generosity as a ripple effect

At first glance, these two stories have little in common.
And yet, they are deeply connected.

What behavioral science tells us

Social neuroscience confirms this: generosity activates both the dopamine and oxytocin systems.
In practice, this means:

It fuels individual motivation.
It fosters a climate of trust.
It amplifies cooperation.

Research in positive psychology shows that leaders who regularly practice acts of generosity — sincere and uncalculated — not only enhance their own well-being, but also that of their teams.
The result: more sustainable performance.

Generosity: not a luxury, but a strategy

In the collective imagination, generosity can sometimes be seen as a weakness in a performance-driven world.
It’s considered “kind,” optional, even naïve.

In reality, it is highly strategic:

It isn’t planned, but it transforms.
It isn’t tracked in KPIs, but it creates impact and engagement.
It can’t be decreed, but it inspires and multiplies collective momentum.

The leader as an aeronaut

At Manentiel, we often use the metaphor of the aeronaut.
Like a hot-air balloon pilot, a leader must learn to read the winds, adjust altitude, and hold the course.

The rigor of piloting represents discipline and strategy.
But sometimes, it is the unexpected pockets of warm air, those spontaneous acts of generosity, that allow the balloon to rise higher, without additional effort.

In other words: generosity is the subtle yet decisive breath that provides both altitude and courage.

How to integrate generosity into leadership

Offer genuine recognition → a word of gratitude to a colleague, partner, or peer, even outside formal frameworks.

Give your time → dedicate an extra hour to listen, coach, or challenge.

Share resources → make an introduction, open up your network, or pass along valuable insights.

Value small gestures → generosity doesn’t need to be grand. A note, a message, or a discreet act can have lasting impact.

And You?

What is the last generous gesture you received. And how far did its impact resonate?
And what if you consciously invested, with your teams and executive committees, in this underestimated leadership resource?

At Manentiel, we are convinced: generosity is not an accessory.
It is a quiet key to authentic, impactful, and sustainable leadership.