Meet Linda Cohen

 

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Linda Cohen. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Linda below.

Linda, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.

Developing my self-esteem and confidence didn’t happen overnight; it was a process that unfolded over several years, with plenty of journaling, affirmations. and day dreaming. As a stay-at-home mom, I found great joy and fulfillment in nurturing my family and taking part in various volunteer opportunities. However, when my father passed away, my kids were 6 and 9, and his death inspired an idea that would ultimately change my life and career.

The journey started with small acts of kindness. I launched 1000 Mitzvahs, committing to 1,000 acts of kindness in memory of my father. Writing about these acts on my blog turned out to be incredibly healing, and it became the foundation for my first book. What began as a personal mission quickly grew into something bigger. As I shared my experiences, I realized the impact they were having on others. People weren’t just touched by the stories—they were inspired to embrace kindness in their own lives. Through this project, my confidence grew, as did my voice. After publishing my first book, I recorded a TEDx talk and was interviewed on TV and radio.

Transitioning into public speaking was both exhilarating and terrifying. Standing in front of an audience—whether to share my 1000 Mitzvahs project or to deliver my keynote The Economy of Kindness—gave me an opportunity to extend my message. I quickly learned that confidence doesn’t mean the absence of fear; it’s the willingness to step forward despite it. With each presentation, I became more comfortable, developing content that resonated with leaders and managers alike.

There have been both large and small pivotal moments that have helped me gain confidence over the years. Speaking to 1,000 middle schoolers was pretty nerve-wracking, and addressing my first multinational corporate audience was equally daunting. But each experience taught me something valuable: my work matters and makes a difference.

Today, I stand in front of audiences with the assurance that my message of kindness and compassion in the workplace resonates. My self-esteem wasn’t built on external validation, but on the realization that I have something truly valuable to offer the world—my story and work can inspire organizations to cultivate kinder leaders and foster robust, thriving cultures where kindness is a core value.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m a keynote speaker and consultant based in Oregon, also known as the Kindness Catalyst. For over a decade, I’ve been helping businesses and organizations understand the ROI of kindness. I’ve authored two books on the subject: 1,000 Mitzvahs: How Small Acts of Kindness Can Heal, Inspire, and Change Your Life, inspired by my personal mitzvah project in memory of my father, and The Economy of Kindness: How Kindness Transforms Your Bottom Line, published in 2021. The latter is geared towards leaders and managers and often complements my keynote presentations.

I work with a wide variety of industries including government, retail, finance, healthcare, and senior living. Preparing for a keynote is one of my favorite aspects of the job—I love learning about my audience and tailoring interactive programs to their needs. A recent addition is my Kindness Toolkit, which encourages participants to explore how they can elevate kindness in their workplace. Using simple tools like a clock, highlighter, and post-it notes, I guide discussions that often spark unexpected and insightful conversations.

In 2024, I also launched the Emerging Leadership Series – Leading with Kindness, and I’m thrilled with the positive response from my first cohort. This is something I’m excited to continue in the future.

I firmly believe that kindness is no longer just a “nice to have” in the workplace; it’s an essential leadership skill. It impacts everything from recruitment and retention to morale and burnout. In fact, there’s growing evidence that kindness can help combat burnout.

Although I never imagined I’d become a professional speaker, it’s been a perfect fit. I’m grateful every day for the chance to do my work and spread kindness and compassion. Now, more than ever, the world needs this message.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

I joined Toastmasters before becoming a professional speaker, and it was invaluable for honing my public speaking skills. It not only enhanced my keynote presentations but also improved my impromptu speaking—helping me answer questions clearly, often with a relevant story to make my point.

If you’re looking to build confidence, I highly recommend Toastmasters. At less than $150 a year, it’s one of the most affordable professional development opportunities out there.
One of my superpowers is my memory for people’s names and the stories they share. It helps me connect with people wherever I go. I love being able to recall something someone told me—even if it was years ago—and ask about it when we meet again.

To remember names, try saying them out loud and connecting them to someone else you know with the same name. It helps to cement it in your memory for the next time.

Finally, look for opportunities every day to do an act of kindness and leave the world better than you found it. Whether that’s sharing your time,, talent or money. It doesn’t have to take you more than 5 minutes
.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

Everyone experiences overwhelm; it ebbs and flows. This summer was particularly tough as my husband and I navigated some health challenges.

I have several strategies for managing overwhelm: I nap, take baths, go for walks, journal, and listen to guided meditations on Insight Timer. I also prioritize saying no to optional events and yes to activities that bring me joy and energy, like art.

Remember, when you feel overwhelmed, “this too shall pass.” If you can recognize the feeling and take steps to address it, you can gradually return to a more balanced state.

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Image Credits

Kitta Bodmer Photography first three images

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