Kindness at Work – it goes further than you think

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Work can be a place where people are put under pressure to meet targets or hit deadlines which can cause periods of stress and anxiety – and in these times, kindness is crucial.

According to research, kindness not only creates a pleasant working environment, it yields positive outcomes for businesses.

Whether you’re just starting out, are an emerging leader or are the CEO of a big company, being kind to your colleagues can help establish a thriving culture, where your colleagues enjoy coming to work.

Kindness at Work

Research shows that when workers feel fulfilled and receive recognition for their work, it increases their self-esteem, improves their self-evaluation and creates positive emotions. It will also help retain top talent and increase employee engagement.

Acts of kindness boost serotonin and dopamine — neurotransmitters in the brain that promote feelings of satisfaction and well-being. It also releases endorphins, your body’s natural painkillers.

Being kind at work – how to do it

Being kind at work can be a valuable attribute that is recognised more than you think. Kindness speaks about your character and commitment, and will also encourage those around you to act in a similar way. We have rounded up a few ways you can start being kinder at work.

Practice self-care

Being kind at work needs to start with yourself. When your own well-being suffers, there’s a high chance that your performance at work will too. And if you are feeling burnt out, you will not be contributing your best work, and as a result, your responsibilities might fall onto your colleagues.

A way to practice self-care at work is by managing your workload and communicating this with your manager. Burnout can be triggered if there is an unrealistic expectation of what you can complete in a timeframe.

Also, set expectations and boundaries, for example, set an out of office so colleagues and clients know when you are not able to respond to e-mails or are not contactable. And don’t be afraid to ask for help – whether this is some advice from your manager on what tasks to prioritise if you need an extra pair of hands to help you complete a task and meet a deadline.

Make sure you recharge yourself after a long day or week at work. This might be by scheduling some designated time to recharge your batteries or book a couple of days off to relax and get back on track.

Punctuality

Showing up to work on time reduces stress and anxiety in yourself and colleagues. If you routinely fail to show up on time or complete designated tasks, typically others will have to take on the work you didn’t complete. This can create tension and frustrations for everyone.

Make sure you are holding yourself accountable and review your own performance for important. Is there anything you could have done better? But remember to celebrate the wins too. Or ask your manager for their feedback.

Offer a hand

If you can see a colleague struggling with a task, why not offer to help them out. Whether that is showing them how to do something more efficiently, or taking on some of the workload – the smallest favours can help build a culture of kindness and camaraderie.

Acknowledge people

Recognise people and engage with your colleagues. This can create positive relationships in the workplace. Ask about their weekend plans, or praise a project they did well at work to harbour positive relationships. Authentic interactions can result in a happy and uplifting environment, where people want to thrive.

Kindness can alter the dynamic of an entire team or organisation if colleagues feel safe and valued. When employees are in a positive frame of mind, they will produce innovative ideas and also feel secure enough to share them with the workforce.