This post is in paid partnership with Nivea.

Being soft gets a bad rap and is all too often associated with being weak, especially in the workplace. In fact, according to a recent survey conducted by NIVEA, 59% of people view "being soft" as a negative and 49% of people define the word "soft" as being "weak." That’s why NIVEA—a brand that’s been dedicated to giving us all soft, beautifully nourished skin for over 100 years—is on a mission to challenge this negative perception of 'being soft' with their #RethinkSoft campaign. That’s right, in partnership with Kindness.org, NIVEA is destigmatizing softness.

At our annual LA 2020 conference, we sat down with successful women who, like NIVEA, are challenging the negative perception of soft and celebrating its power. During the Soft Is Strong panel powered by NIVEA, our founder, Jaclyn Johnson, chatted with Noor Tagouri, renowned journalist, activist, and motivational speaker, Jaclyn Lindsey, co-founder and CEO of Kindness.org, Adrienne Bosh, activist, CEO, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, and Gina Ybarra, creator of Hunt for Styles, about how softness has had positive, long-lasting impacts on their careers. 

Spoiler alert: The conversation was just as enlightening as it was entertaining, so be sure to scroll on for all the most memorable moments from the conversation. Trust us, you’re going to want to commit these mic-drop quotes to memory.

Soft Is Strong: How Taking a Softer Approach Can Be Positive and  Have a Powerful Impact on Your Career—Powered by Nivea

Panelists:

Noor Tagouri | Rethink Soft Storyteller, Journalist, Touring Speaker and Entrepreneur

Jaclyn Lindsey | Co-Founder & CEO, Kindness.org

Adrienne Bosh | CEO, Activist, Philanthropist, & Entrepreneur

Gina Ybarra | Content Creator, Hunt for Styles

Moderator: 

Jaclyn Johnson | Founder & CEO, Create & Cultivate

On leading with kindness… 

“When you are leading in a kind capacity, you are more respected. There is an effect on employee engagement and wellbeing when you lead with kindness.” - Jaclyn Lindsey  

On positivity on social media…

“I like to share positivity and good energy because I believe it comes back to us.” - Adrienne Bosh

On navigating negativity on social media…

“I see the negative comments as a positive thing.” - Gina Ybarra 

“It’s about understanding that there is another person on the other end of the screen.” - Noor Tagouri 

“We have to learn how to lean into compassion.” - Noor Tagouri 

On not letting negativity in… 

“What people say about you is none of your business.” - Noor Tagouri 

“Our opinions do not define other people.” - Noor Tagouri 

On being vulnerable on social media… 

“I like to share vulnerable, tough moments because I think, to inspire people, they need to be able to see themselves in your pain to see themselves in your success.” - Adrienne Bosh 

On taking a soft approach in the boardroom… 

“I’ve had to let many people go over my career. I was encouraged to show no compassion. It was awful for me. I told my HR department that I won’t do this anymore, and I need to do this with softness and compassion.” - Jaclyn Lindsey 

On strength… 

“Use what makes you vulnerable as your strength” - Noor Tagouri 

On a strength that’s seen as a weakness…

“I am extremely patient and my blood runs slow. People think it's a bad thing, but I just try to think before I talk so I don’t hurt anyone.” - Gina Ybarra

On the power of storytelling…

“Different people see themselves in my story, and I am able to soften their hearts by being myself” - Noor Tagouri 

 On adding softness to the world...

“We have to frame softness into an image of strength.” - Noor Tagouri 

Learn more about the Nivea Rethink Soft campaign and shop their popular product categories across Nivea Body Care, Creme, Lip, and Body Wash products.

Photography: Smith House Photo