The Remarkable Benefits of Kindness at Work
Historically kindness is often considered a weakness in the world of business. We don’t want to subdue the fire that drives us to be successful and move up the ladder of the corporate world. Everyone knows you can’t be successful by being a doormat! Fortunately: being kind has nothing to do with being a doormat and everything to do with strength. There are remarkable benefits of kindness at work.
When we think of successful people: kindness isn’t the first word that typically springs to mind. Look at all the corporate sitcoms, not too many kind personalities get ahead! In the real world, however, kindness can improve job performance, lengthen employee tenure, and reduce sick leave, says the University of Wisconsin’s Richard Davidson.
“People buy books on how to be healthy, wealthy, popular, and balanced. But few people are rushing out to buy books on how to be kind. In our competitive world, we seem to think kindness would keep us from achieving greatness.” – Mike Bechtle
Kindness is Strength
Kindness is a key element to a successful, healthy, popular, and
balanced life. Kindness and strength are not mutually exclusive – rather: only the strong can truly be kind. It’s a type of kindness given freely without expectation of return. Genuine kindness is something that we do because we can, not because we should.
“Gentleness can only be expected from the strong.” – Leo Buscaglia
It’s not about rolling over and taking a back seat in life. You can be assertively kind. Kindness builds trust and that develops meaningful relationships. Professionals that get ahead by stomping on others don’t last. Their business colleagues aren’t as loyal or engaged. In a culture that breed backstabbing and distrust: employees aren’t excited about being a part of the organization. It takes a long time to build trust, but only seconds to destroy it.
The Remarkable Benefits of Kindness at Work
According to a recent study, people who were treated kindly at work repaid it by being 278% more generous to coworkers compared to a control group. Research has found that kindness encourages increased health and increased emotional well-being in the workplace in the following ways:
- Increases Energy Levels. Acts of kindness release a hormone called serotonin which generates a feeling of calmness and can even boost self-esteem.
- Increases Positive Perspectives. Kindness also encourages the release of oxytocin which encourages optimism, lowers blood pressure, and promotes cardiovascular health.
- Increases Well-Being. When you are kind, serotonin is released into your system. Serotonin is the ‘feel good’ chemical in our brain that generates happiness.
Being kind at work allows professionals to be more satisfied with their jobs and it can set off a morale-boosting wave throughout an organization.
Kindness May Be the Key to Success
Afraid to be labeled as ‘nice’? Nice guys don’t finish last. In fact, kindness may be the key to success. Contrary to our expectations, the cream usually does rise to the top. Those top executives that become a lasting part of a culture have been intentional about building relationships through trust, demonstrating that they care, and being kind with integrity.
Successful professionals understand that you reap what you sow in business and in life. We do kind things for others because we are kind. It is a strength. We are kind regardless of the other person’s feelings toward us. Even if another person is unkind – you have the power to be kind to them. We are kind because it’s the right thing to do.
Kindness is Contagious
We are not kind because we hope others will change – we are kind because it is who we are. Kindness is not about being a door-mat. You can be assertive and firmly kind. You can choose not to sink to the unkind person’s level. By being assertively kind: you aren’t providing any traction for the negative person to keep pushing.
When others witness acts of kindness, they also get a surge of well-being and will often feel encouraged to perform an act of kindness of their own. By not giving your power away to negative people or ignoring an opportunity to be kind, you are spreading joy. From a professional perspective: would you rather promote someone who is disengaged or someone who is thoughtfully responsive?
How to Be Intentionally Kind
How many times have you felt like you are too small to impact your organization? If you ever think anything is too small, get trapped in a tent with a mosquito. You will soon learn that nothing is too small to make an impact! Our society struggles with selfishness and apathy. True success lies in recognizing that we can be responsive and kind individuals to promote the environment we want to live in.
- Take coffee to someone when you go for a refill.
- Open the door and say “Thank You” when someone does the same for you.
- Be the last to speak in a meeting and show appreciation for others contributions.
- Spontaneously help a stressed coworker with their deadline.
- Acknowledge others contributions timely and publicly.
- Give your time as freely as you are able.
- Be willing to listen first and ask “how can I help?”
By being intentionally kind, we inherently bring out positive qualities in others. John Donne once said, “No man is an island.” Like ripples in a pond or a rush from a waterfall, kindness from one person can expand and positively affect others around them. Maybe you can start a Kindness Revolution at your workplace! All it takes is the strength to be kind.
A little bit about me …. my name is Erin Urban (LSSBB, CPDC), I’m a member of the Forbes Coaches Council, a keynote speaker, a certified career growth and leadership development coach with almost a decade of mentoring and coaching successful professional transformations.
There is nothing more rewarding than helping people achieve their dreams!
With an extensive background in leading individual, cultural and organizational change initiatives: my mission is to lift you up to defy your limits and exceed your goals!
Seen on: Thrive Global | besomebody.com | Forbes.com
