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Iowans are known for being nice.

“Iowa Nice” means small-town warmth and easy small talk. We’re a pleasant lot, great at talking about the weather, and champions of avoiding conflict. But “nice” can also lead to people-pleasing, insincerity, and loneliness. What if we kept the warmth of Iowa Nice, but added the courage to be kind?

Kindness starts with yourself.

We’re all doing our best, and that includes you. Plus, you can’t offer to others what you don’t extend to yourself. 

 

Kindness sounds like clear communication.

Even when it’s hard or might cause tension, saying the thing that needs to be said is better than polite silence. 

 

Kindness chooses curiosity and compassion.

When we push past our assumptions and see both the messy and the beautiful in others, kindness feels authentic.

 

Kindness finds courageous ways to contribute. 

You have more to offer than you know, right in your own stomping grounds. Think differently about how what you have to offer aligns with what your community needs.

Iowa Kind is a movement that empowers leaders to move from polite avoidance to courageous connection — rebuilding a sense of belonging, compassion, and contribution in their businesses and communities. 

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An illustration of an elderly man pointing to apples on a farmers market stall. The farmer is answering the elderly man's questions.
An illustration of a man shoveling snow from an elderly women's driveway. The women is looking out of the window, holding two mugs with a warm beverage.
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Start Your Kindness Campaign 

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Find Your Kindness Style

Kindness can look a million different ways. Whether you’re introverted or extroverted, full of ideas or prefer supporting the ideas of others, Iowa needs your own specific style of kindness. Take this quiz to spark ideas for how you can contribute.

An illustration of a man shoveling snow from an elderly women's driveway. The women is looking out of the window, holding two mugs with a warm beverage.

Inspire Your Community

Invite Allie to speak at your next event or professional development. Through a blend of storytelling, practical insight, and real-world applications, Allie engages audiences in envisioning how true kindness can transform the way we lead and impact our teams, organizations, and communities.

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Lead with Kindness & Clarity

Most leaders we work with aren’t lacking competence or dedication. They’re stretched thin, avoiding hard conversations, and navigating the field mines that Iowa Niceness unintentionally creates. Through one-on-one coaching with Allie, you can explore how to integrate boundaries, courage, and accountability with empathy and confidence.

An illustration of a soccer coach down on one knee, coaching a young soccer player.

Rebuild Engagement in Your Community

Many communities often struggle with the same small group of people carrying most of the responsibilities and volunteer positions, and the rest of the community full of opinions but mostly disengaged. Strategic planning through the lens of Iowa Kind helps you step back, see the full picture, and move forward towards your vision of an engaged, unified, and thriving community. 

Share Your Iowa Kind Story

Acts of kindness don’t often make the headlines, but they are happening all around. If you have a story of Iowa Kindness, big or small, we’d love to hear it!

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