By Rose Miller
Every New Year is a time for reflection and planning. There is no better plan than reflecting includes ways to be grateful. It is also beyond time to exercise being nice to one another.
My mom passed away last August and her shining attribute was her kindness. Condolences from friends contained a repetitive story. They all remembered how my mom would always greet them with a warm smile, reach out to hold their hands and look them straight in the eye.
Such a simple gesture that impacted so many. It got me thinking about how important little gestures of kindness can be in the workplace.
Amidst the ongoing pandemic, being kinder has become a necessity. Everyone is fighting some kind of battle. These battles have challenged our ability to be kind. There is so much negativity and confusion out there and practicing kindness daily can counterbalance the dark messages.
The workplace is an ideal place to do this. We are physically and virtually together five or more days per week. We are interacting with a variety of people, some of whom are adding to our kindness challenge. Kindness, especially when unexpected, boosts morale and makes work feel a little less of a burden.
Statistics show how many of us need some kindness:
• Roughly one in four people will experience mental health issues like depression or anxiety, which affects their families, partners, and their ability to perform at work.
• Of the U.S. employees whose stress interferes with their work, less than 40 percent bring it to the employer’s attention.
• Roughly 1 in 8 adults in the U.S. are experiencing a substance abuse disorder.
• About 38 percent of people will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in the lives.
• Some 10 to 25 percent of known pregnancies end in miscarriage.
• The divorce rate is somewhere around 50 percent.
• Some 97 percent of bankruptcies are filed by individuals or households.
These are the people you work with on a daily basis. They are the employees, the managers, and the employers, who all need your kindness and understanding. When you are the owner, it can be lonely at the top.
Being kind also feels good and research shows it triggers neurological responses that equip our brains to better cope with the struggles of others and be more resilient when facing our own.
In workplaces where acts of kindness become the norm, the spillover effects multiply fast. I remember every kindness I was fortunate enough to receive.
Here are a couple of ways to practice kindness at work:
• Remember (or learn) social manners. Say hello, thank you, excuse me, your welcome, etc., every time, all the time.
• Take the time to learn your coworkers’ work preferences and respect them.
• Volunteer for a task before being asked.
• Always acknowledge a communication when received.
• Give a coworker a random compliment on their work.
• Acknowledge a deadline not met and give a new expected date.
• Wear a mask or get vaccinated because you care about coworkers’ safety.
• Invite a new hire to lunch or find a way to get acquainted.
• Listen to a colleague who is struggling without attempting to solve their problem.
• When frustrated, take a break before responding or criticizing.
• Share a personal story of a challenging event or situation. Showing vulnerability is very relatable.
• Demonstrate gratitude because it is both a kindness and a response to kindness.
• Look people in the eye (video on) and smile.
How would your workplace improve if everyone led with kindness to each other- employers and employees, alike? Who would it attract? Practicing kindness helps life feel more meaningful. In the remote workplace, where cultivating meaningful moments is difficult, exhibiting kindness may be particularly important in helping employees with long-term job satisfaction.
The power of kindness can mitigate the ill effects of our increasingly challenging world. A reputation in kindness can attract the best talent. It is an essential workplace skill that can pull people up, improving the culture of the workplace along the way.