Effective Ways To Show Workplace Kindness
There is a lot that goes into any positive and productive workplace. An organization can usually benefit greatly from a team that works well together and is committed to developing professional relationships that enhance communication and collaboration. One way that team members can accomplish this is by displaying workplace kindness. In this article, we explain what workplace kindness is and why it’s important and provide a list of ways you can show kindness to others in the workplace.
What is workplace kindness?
Workplace kindness is when you offer a positive attitude and goodwill toward those you work with, which can include your direct coworkers, managers and your customer and client base. It’s important to show kindness in the workplace for several reasons, including:
- Job satisfaction: Employees who show and receive kindness in the workplace usually experience greater job satisfaction. This is because they are in a pleasant environment where it’s more likely that team members get along well.
- Engagement: Workplace kindness among employees can also increase engagement. An engaged workforce typically means that employees join committees, believe in the values of the organization and support their coworkers.
- Loyalty: Many organizations support workplace kindness initiatives because of the increased company loyalty that can come from such actions. Employees who are loyal to the organization help the company grow and can lessen the amount of time and money the business spends on recruiting, hiring and training efforts.
- Productivity: Workplace kindness is also associated with an increase in productivity. When employees are happy at work, especially if it’s because it’s a positive place to be, they are more likely to work harder, meet goals, miss work less often and collaborate well with their team.
- Positive workplace culture: A positive workplace culture frequently comes from employees displaying kindness. This can affect the relationship the business has with customers and clients, as well as the interest qualified candidates may have to seek employment with the organization.
Certain ways to show kindness in the workplace
Showing workplace kindness can change the dynamic of teams, creating a positive workplace environment that people enjoy being a part of. Here are some ways you can show kindness at work and enjoy the benefits that come with it:
1. Help coworkers
Collaborating with your coworkers is just one way to show kindness to others. Collaboration means you’re cooperating with others and working toward a shared goal or achievement. With collaboration, you’re better able to celebrate other people and the work they contribute to the team and the organization. You can also help coworkers by recognizing when someone on the team would benefit from your assistance and then offering it so that they can meet their deadline or feel more comfortable with their work responsibilities.
2. Smile
Smiling is an inherently kind thing to do to coworkers, managers and other individuals you work with. It can show your openness to getting to know others and work alongside them each day, with a commitment to improving the workplace as best you can. Smiling is also important if you work directly with customers and clients.
3. Recognize coworkers
If your coworker does a great job with a project or task, consider how you can recognize them for it. Everyone’s efforts in the workplace contribute to a cohesive environment that’s productive, positive and helpful. You may recognize your coworker’s accomplishments during a meeting with the team, when providing a peer review, in your company’s newsletter or by simply informing your manager.
4. Say thank you
Saying thank you is kind because it’s showing your appreciation to someone else for their work or actions. You can thank a coworker for their help, your manager for their feedback on your performance or customers who came in to shop at your retail store. The simple act of thanking someone else also shows recognition, which can help others feel valued for their efforts.
5. Bring food to work
Providing food to those you work with is a random act of kindness. Consider bringing in breakfast and coffee in the morning or a snack tray during an important meeting. Not only can food help employees focus on their work, but it can also provide a welcomed break from a meeting so those involved can discuss non-work-related topics.
6. Have meaningful conversations
Get to know those you work with by having meaningful conversations that show your intent. For example, you can ask them about their weekend plans, family or previous work experiences. These conversations can show a coworker that you care about them and can help you grow your professional relationship as you become more familiar with one another.
7. Give positive feedback
Many times, positive feedback is just as important as constructive feedback. It’s important to let others know when they’ve performed work you’re happy with or that has benefited the team or project. This shows that you recognize their work and encourages them to continue to perform as they have been because positive feedback is reinforcing. Feeling appreciated can increase productivity, collaboration, creativity and satisfaction.
8. Listen
It’s important to listen to those you work alongside because it shows that what they say matters to you. Listening typically improves communication between parties, lowers the chances of a mistake and helps collaboration efforts. Listening can also help you understand what the other person is explaining, whether it’s a new process or procedure, or what their opinions and ideas are on a certain workplace subject.
9. Provide recommendations
Throughout your career, you may have coworkers who desire a promotion in the workplace. When you know they are applying for another role within the organization, explore the opportunity to provide a recommendation to the hiring manager. You can share their positive work attributes and how pleased you’ve been to work alongside them. Providing a recommendation for a valued coworker shows them your appreciation for their work.
10. Organize a team activity
A team-building activity can give you and others in the office the opportunity to get to know each other, which has the benefit of improving communication, creating a positive environment, developing trust and enhancing motivation. Exploring the opportunity to organize a team-building activity is a kind act because it shows you care about the wellbeing of the workplace.
11. Make time for coworkers
Even if you’re busy at work, it’s important to make time for coworkers who need it. You can communicate your availability and let them know a reasonable time when you’ll be available to work with them on a certain project. To show kindness toward and commitment to your peers, you can also invite them to lunch away from the office or suggest an activity after work hours.
12. Be considerate
To be considerate means you account for the feelings of others when you take an action. This can mean you think about another’s experiences before you provide your opinion in a work meeting, or you step in to help a coworker carry a heavy box from the storage room to their desk. There are multiple ways you can show consideration in the office, including cleaning the common areas, respecting everyone’s time by arriving to meetings when it’s scheduled to start and completing your work tasks by the deadline.
13. Mentor a new employee
When a new employee begins work at your organization, consider ways you can mentor them. You can train them on their work responsibilities and the role they’ve accepted or introduce them to others in the workplace so that they feel more comfortable early on in their employment with your company. Welcoming a new hire can improve workplace relations and help them succeed in their new role quicker.
14. Recognize the strengths of others
It’s important to recognize that everyone on your team was hired for a reason. The strengths that each individual brings to the organization help the team function well, which has a lasting effect on the productivity and success of the company. Realize the strengths that each employee has and celebrate the unique offerings they make to the business.
15. Remain aware of your words and tone
It’s common for teams to communicate with each other via email or online messaging platforms. However, these ways of corresponding can also lead to miscommunication. Whenever possible, try to be clear in your messages and respond in a way that accurately portrays your feelings or ideas about the topic you’re discussing. Avoid being short and instead, take the time to write a message that’s positive and doesn’t leave much room for confusion.