Featured Media
TED TALK
What would happen to humanity if generosity went viral? Sharing transformative stories from around the world, head of TED Chris Anderson outlines why the time has come for the internet to realize its power to supercharge small acts of kindness, changing lives at a scale never experienced before. Learn how to cultivate a generous mindset — with or without giving money — and get inspired with tools to amplify your impact. "Be brave. Give what you can, and then be absolutely amazed at what happens next," Anderson says.
Podcasts
brene brown podcast
James Rhee on Kindness, Math, and the Power of Goodwill
This is a conversation about how a simple act of generosity can put someone on a new, groundbreaking course. I’m talking with James Rhee — acclaimed impact leader, entrepreneur, educator, investor, and goodwill strategist — about why kindness matters. He leads with a powerful combination of kindness and math and demonstrates how revenue doesn’t define our lives...
Simon sinek podcast
Kindness with James Rhee
What started out as a six month project to help a company avoid liquidation turned into a seven year passion filled with new friends, compassion, and lots of goodwill. And the results were profound. It turns out intangibles can be measured and kindness is good for business.
What Drives You with Kevin Miller
How To Turn A National Chain Store & A Life Around By Being Kind - And Doing Some Math
Here is a business story, that is really a humanitarian story, but overall is an incredible story of drive I believe you’ll be inspired and equipped by. The story would make a great movie, and since my guest actually roomed with Matt Damon in college, it just might become one...
Better Place Project with Steve Norris
The Red Helicopter and the Human Element of Success - Part 1 + 2
This week, I'm privileged to share an enriching conversation with James Rhee, the transformative leader who authored "Red Helicopter: Lead Change with Kindness (Plus a Little Math)." In our latest episode of Better Place Project, we traverse the landscape of societal evolution, dissect the true measure of success, and unveil the human side of business often obscured by balance sheets...
Math, Kindness, and the Red Helicopter Story with James Rhee
In this episode, John talks to James Rhee about his journey as a Korean American and experiences in leadership. He shares the story of the red helicopter and how it impacted his perspective on kindness. James explains his philosophy of kindness in math, how he designs systems that reward true agency, the importance of joy and finding contentment in everyday moments, the significance of championing Asian-Americans in media, and the positive changes happening in representation...
Motley Fool Money
Intangible Greatness
James Rhee is the former CEO of Ashley Stewart, a professor, entrepreneur, and the author of “red helicopter―a parable for our times: lead change with kindness (plus a little math).” Mary Long caught up with Rhee for a conversation about...
Mentally Stronger with Therapist Amy Morin
How Kindness, Goodwill, and a Little Math Can Lead to Real Success with Author James Rhee
Kindness isn't a sign of weakness. It's a sign of strength. But too many people worry that they'll be taken advantage of or that they'll finish last if they're kind.
guy kawasaki's REmarkable People
James Rhee: The Power of Kindness in Business
James Rhee is no ordinary business leader; he is a former high school teacher turned private equity investor and author of the transformative book Red Helicopter. With a unique approach to leadership that blends math and management with emotions, James has navigated change and empowered individuals in remarkable ways.
Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books
Grief and the importance of embracing emotions in the workplace.
James shares what he learned from his Korean immigrant parents and from the black women he worked with. He reflects on the challenges faced by Ashley Stewart, weaving in themes of race, gender, and systemic barriers.
Is it possible to be successful and kind?
The insights and knowledge that Rhee imparts have been accumulated over decades of investing and leading at the highest levels of business. Drawing on this experience, he encourages us to trust the wisdom deep inside each of us.
The Stacking Benjamins Show
The Important Role of Kindness and a Little Math When Stacking Benjamins
How can simply being kind (and using math) bring more Benjamins into your life? Today we explore the topic of how changing your outlook towards others can attract more abundance and wealth in life when Joe sits down with our mentor, the brilliant James Rhee, MIT professor and author of the hit book red helicopter: a parable for our times: lead change with kindness (plus a little math).
Articles
THE NEXT BIG IDEA CLUB
Why Kindness Creates Success
James Rhee teaches at Howard University as the Johnson Chair of Entrepreneurship. He also holds appointments as a senior lecturer at MIT Sloan School of Management and Duke Law School. He has spent most of his career outside of the classroom as a longtime entrepreneur and private equity investor, particularly in the consumer retail space. He had a transformative impact as CEO of the clothing brand Ashley Stewart.
Forbes
3 New Books By CEO Authors Reveal The ‘Myths Of Success’ And Other Leadership Secrets
If you aspire to be a CEO or leader of your regional area, department or team, who better to learn from than former CEOs? Three new books by CEO authors share advice on how to stand out in your career, build strong teams and businesses, and achieve professional success:
The Dig
Howard University and PNC National Center for Entrepreneurship Close Entrepreneurship Week with Pitch Competition and Fireside Chat
The Howard University and PNC National Center for Entrepreneurship’s second annual entrepreneurship festival closed with a fireside chat featuring James Rhee, the John H. Johnson Endowed Chair for Entrepreneurship, and Tina Byles Williams, founder, CEO and CIO of Xponance, a $17 billion asset management and investment firm.
new york post
How to survive giving — and getting — negative feedback
James Rhee said that “Good feedback is truthful and well-intended. If delivered and received well, it prevents waste, whether of time, money, energy or focus. Even more so, it can create a new asset that is increasingly in short supply — namely, trust, which is the foundation for sustainable growth.”
chase for busines
Chase for Business
"My name is James. I don’t have any retail operating experience. I’m not Black. I’m not a woman. And I don’t have a lot of Black friends." This was the gist of how James Rhee introduced himself on his first day as CEO of Ashley Stewart, a near-bankrupt retail clothing company catering to plus-size Black women.
FORBES
Accounting For Kindness
James Rhee is a high school teacher, turned private equity investor, turned CEO/entrepreneur, turned movement builder. Deeply shaped by his life experience as the son of immigrant Korean caregivers, James led the much-acclaimed reinvention of the company Ashley Stewart, with a unique focus on human relationships and community. He’s now on a quest to marry kindness and math to shape a more sustainable form of capitalism.
HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW
How I Brought Ashley Stewart Back from Bankruptcy
In 2013, Ashley Stewart was on the brink of bankruptcy — its second in a little over three years. Decades of operating losses and rampant turnover in both the employee base and ownership group had cemented a fearful culture. The fast-turning nature of the company’s inventory and the constant specter of insolvency undermined long-term investments and strategic planning.
FORBES
How this CEO used ‘kindness and math’ to save his company
James Rhee is a high school teacher, turned private equity investor, turned CEO/entrepreneur, turned movement builder...
THE NEXT BIG IDEA CLUB
The Next Big Idea Club’s April 2024 Must-Read Books
A true story of triumph by award-winning business leader, impact investor, and educator James Rhee that will inspire and empower us to transform our lives and our businesses with the simple and yet powerful combination of kindness and math.
publishers weekly
The American Booksellers Association's Winter Institute 2024: All Our Coverage
The American Booksellers Association is bringing Winter Institute 2024 to Cincinnati, Sunday–Wednesday, February 11–14. Taking place at the Duke Energy Convention Center and the nearby Hyatt Regency Cincinnati Hotel, WI2024 will be four days of programming, schmoozing, and, of course, plentiful opportunities to meet more than 100 featured authors and grab as many ARCs as one can carry.
Videos
abc news
This unlikely investor saved a plus-size fashion retailer
James Rhee is not the person you’d expect to be the driving force behind the revival of America’s largest plus-size, retail chain for African-American women.