I think you could argue that long term lack of kindness at all levels of an organization leads to organizational technical incompetence. It creates hostile work environment where employees don't feel valued which leads to talent attrition.
Yes, only valuing kindness with valuing technical competence is not ideal but so is the inverse. You want both.
Yea I’d like to see some actual studies on that assertion, it has been the opposite in my experience.
Technical competence requires a certain amount of self-discipline and sacrifice. You don’t become competent just by doing the same things over and over, so experience alone is not competence. With self-discipline comes a healthy habit of self-motivation. You don’t need your employer “making you” feel valued, you derive a sense of accomplishment from doing good work. You know you’re valued because you’re literally valued (in dollars).
Yes, only valuing kindness with valuing technical competence is not ideal but so is the inverse. You want both.