Bruno Raynal: Coaching with Intention

Bruno Raynal is an executive coach with decades of international experience. He has worked with leaders across industries and cultures, gaining insight into how kindness is expressed in different contexts. He clearly differentiates between sympathy and kindness, stressing the importance of authenticity and transparency. He believes kindness is intentional, empathetic, and rooted in emotional presence.

When asked what investing in kindness means to him, he said, “Kindness is a beautiful and so original way to approach leadership. It's not common to talk about kindness in our activities.” His first impression was that it encouraged vulnerability and the acceptance that people need to be respected and valued.

Born near Paris and having lived and worked in Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Taiwan, and the United States, Bruno has witnessed how kindness looks different across borders. In Latin America, it can be expressive and energetic. In East Asia, it may be more reserved, marked by respectful distance. Whether expressed through warm exuberance or elegant reserve, he found that kindness takes many forms—and each carries value.

One of his most important practices as a leader was how he approached onboarding. Before setting goals or diagnosing problems, he focused on knowing people—how they think, what they value, and how they express themselves. “It is not to score them,” he said. “It is to meet them.” These early, agenda-free conversations allowed him to listen openly and observe who might be honest, resistant, or ready to grow. This process helped him understand how people revealed themselves—whether open, resistant, or reserved—and allowed him to adapt how he led each person. In his view, this is where leadership begins.

Bruno views kindness as more than compassion; it is linked to empathy, tolerance, and the ability to slow down. “In a frenetic world,” he said, “we cannot be kind. We are not able to get a coffee... We start the morning with emails. We have no time for anything.” He believes kindness emerges when we make space for it—by listening deeply, respecting imperfection, and recognizing that not all days are good ones. “We all face different battles,” he added. “Kindness could be the capacity to slow down.” He sees tolerance of imperfection as an essential act of kindness—not just toward others, but toward ourselves.

His coaching philosophy is grounded in adaptability. Some clients need energy; others need silence. What matters most to him is not the praise he receives but the energy clients carry forward. “It is a professional interaction. If I can offer them relief or help them move forward, that is what matters.” He believes that true emotional understanding is imperative.

“True compassion comes after genuine empathy. Kindness is a natural extension.”

Bruno Raynal is an international executive coach who sees kindness as an intentional act of connection. Keep an eye out for more interviews.