Kindness and why it matters at work

What many of us are noticing in the world right now is a lack of kindness. A lack of appreciation for the unique humanity that we all ultimately share.

Despite what is happening in the world right now, our workplaces are their own precious ecosystems. We have the opportunity to make them what we want them to be and we have the opportunity to make a difference.

Employee experience matters. How our people feel at work and how they feel on a Sunday night matters.

In a world that doesn't feel comfortable to many right now, we can offer our people a different experience at work.

A reprieve from the outside world.

A place where kindness is valued and where it matters.

Sounding all a bit wishy washy? Not really. In fact kindness at work is important in so many ways.

Kindness allows our people to feel safe. To be accepted for who they are.

When we feel safe, we are able to access the higher part of our brain. The creative, problem solving part of our brain.

When we don't feel safe (whether due to stress, bullying, harassment, exclusion etc.) we find ourselves in survival mode. The reptilian brain kicks in. We need our people to be able to access their higher cognitive function at work.

Ego's at work stand out. But they stand out for all the wrong reasons.

Ego is about self.

Kindness is about self-awareness, compassion and others. It's about connection, It's about caring for others. And it contributes to psychological safety.

Kindness means that we are more likely to check in with someone when we see them struggling. To have a conversation, to see how we can help. Empathy in action.

Ego on the other hand may see someone struggling as an opportunity to get ahead. To see that person as weak. To use it to their own advantage.

We've all worked with people who are unkind over the years. That adds to stress and self doubt. It adds to conflict and to toxicity in the workplace.

We've also worked with people who are kind. They are the ones that we naturally gravitate towards. They show a genuine interest in who we are as people, not just as professionals. They are the ones who can make all the difference in our desire to show up and contribute at work.

How can we be kinder at work?

• Start by being kind to ourselves - soften the self-talk, turn down the self-criticism

• Take the time to understand the person, not just what they do at work

• Find out what matters to them

• Offer support when needed

• Encourage people -remind them what they are capable of

• Foster respectful relationships

• Allow everyone to have a voice

• Validate what someone is feeling

• Seek to understand rather than assume

• Take the time to understand each other

• Engage in random acts of kindness

• Let people know that their contribution matters

• Make sure there are opportunities for genuine connection

• Create a culture of learning when someone makes a mistake

• Start a team meeting with sharing gratitude for others in the team

• Talk about why kindness, belonging, authenticity and vulnerability matter

• Bring altruistic activities into your team - volunteer together

• Offer activities that allow people to step into spaces of kindness; Meditation at work, or awareness training around mental health, DEIB or wellbeing

Let's bring kindness into focus. Let's value it in our cultures. Let's get the job done but in a way that values everyone of us. Let's allow kindness to be knitted into the fabric of our workplaces.