Kindness Can Transform the World of Work
Kindness is what we need most, especially at work. I imagine workplaces where compassion and empathy are expressed, where acts of kindness are the norm, and where everyone feels valued and appreciated. By spreading kindness we create safe base camps where staff are supported and nurtured to be at their best as they serve clients. People who can bring their best and delight in their work make the most impact.
The Being Kind at Work campaign is a 14 day opportunity to focus on spreading kindness in your workplace and throughout your workday. It is designed to inspire and support you to release kindness in your workplace. The campaign runs from June the 21st to July 5th 2024.
Join in the campaign simply by being kind.
Why Kindness Matters At Work
When kindness becomes a core value of a workplace, staff, managers and clients all benefit. Research shows that kindness increases employee satisfaction, productivity, well-being, engagement and organisational commitment. Research also shows that being kind is good for us, increasing our positive emotions and contributing to our well-being.
How to Participate
Participating in the Being Kind at Work campaign is simple and fun. Follow these steps to get started:
Commit to being kind in your workplace. You can commit to one act a day for 15 days, or 1 act a week, or just try 1 new thing and see how you go.
Carry out an act of kindness: Spread some kindness at your workplace. It could be as simple as complimenting a colleague's work, offering assistance to a team member, or expressing gratitude to your boss. Think up your own or use some of the suggestions below.
Capture the moment: Take a photo or a short video (respecting others’ privacy) describing the act of kindness, and observing what happens.
Share with the hashtag: Share your experience on social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn, using the campaign's official hashtag: #KindAtWork.
Spread the word: Encourage your colleagues, friends, and followers to participate in the campaign by sharing their own acts of kindness. Or challenge someone to carry out more acts of kindness than you.
The Power of Sharing
Kind workplaces provide the support and nourishment we need to do our best work. By sharing your commitment to being kind at work with others you inspire them to change their workplaces and emphasise our collective responsibility for well-being. It is only together that we can make the big shifts we need to change the world of work for the better. Your stories and experiences will encourage other people and their organisations to make kindness a priority in their workplaces.
Join the Movement
Together, let's create a culture of kindness in workplaces around the world. Join the being Kind at Work campaign today and be a catalyst for positive change. Together, we can make a difference, one act of kindness at a time.
We can all spread a little more kindness. We can all benefit from receiving a little more kindness. Join the Being Kind at Work movement. Share your acts of kindness with #KindAtWork.
What is kindness anyway?
Kindness is not just a soft being nice all the time approach - that definitely wouldn’t change the world. Kindness is strong, has boundaries, is founded in values and is internally driven. Kindness is the foundation of positive human interactions and personal well-being, it involves taking a stance that is characterised by genuine concern for the well-being, thriving and happiness of others. It is an attitude, a trait and a skill, it can be expressed in thought, intention, feelings and behaviours. Kindness is like a fountain in that one source can sustain a ripple that flows through many layers again and again. Kindness consists of three key facets.
Consider: The ability to see others' perspectives or viewpoints. Being able to balance individuals needs and perspectives against wider perspectives and the well-being of all.
Connect: Establishing and maintaining genuine connections with ourselves, others and the organisation.
Feel: Nurturing kind feelings for ourselves and others and knowing how to accept and listen to our feelings.
There are many small acts of kindness you can introduce into your workplace here are a few to try:
These acts of kindness help increase the consider aspect of kindness.
Notice someone in your workplace who is new or less experienced. Offer to become their mentor.
Observe the relationships around you. Is there anyone who eats lunch or takes breaks alone? Offer to sit with them and get to know three new things about them.
Is there someone who has a particular skill or strength that you don’t possess yet - ask them to teach you.
Take the time to talk to someone you don’t know very well and find out 3 things about their non-work life.
Help people appreciate and value what’s going well, by starting an e-mail chain or notebook identifying your team’s wins, successes and accomplishments.
Who are the underrepresented groups in your workplace? Research and act on 2 ways that you can be a better ally and friend.
Choose 3 conversations this week and focus on deep listening and understanding, through active engaged listening (leave your agenda aside).
Give someone a compliment on their character, attitude, skills or strengths.
Write an encouraging note to your team leader, manager or CEO.
Leave flowers or treats for the cleaners or night shift.
These Acts of kindness help increase the feel aspect of kindness.
Write a thank you note or card to a teammate who has helped you recently.
Create a gratitude noticeboard, with cards and pins (or sticky notes) so that your team can share things they are grateful for each day.
Leave a joke or amusing picture above the printer or somewhere else people wait.
Remember to smile more - notice how others react.
Introduce a sense of play to your meetings, by allowing time for a simple game.
Leave an encouraging or inspirational note on a co-worker’s desk. (Or send by e-mail if you are virtual).
Send a care package for a sick colleague (eg: tissues, throat lozenges, panadol).
Create a de-stress basket for colleagues to use when needed. Pack it full of sensory comfort (eg: plushies, scented candles, fidget toys, stress balls, rain sticks, herbal tea).
Organise a no-agenda team meeting, a get-together to be together as whole people, to share relationally rather than in a task-oriented way (search for great conversation starters if you need help to get things going).
Create a TLC sign or signal that your team members can use on those days they need a little extra forgiveness, understanding and support but might not want to share all they are going through with everybody in the workplace.
These Acts of kindness increase the connect aspect of kindness.
Bring in snacks to share with your team.
Organise a list of all your team’s birthdays and initiate an easy way to celebrate them, eg a baking roster.
Take the time to say good morning to as many people as possible as you arrive in the morning.
Give (or loan) one of your co-workers a book that has influenced you, or been particularly helpful to your work.
Notice when a colleague is struggling with their tasks or workload, and offer your help.
Compile a list of your favourite resources, websites, articles or tools and share it with your team.
Be the one who volunteers this week; do the coffee run, take the meeting notes, put the dates in the calendar, and empty the shredding bin.
When someone is doing a wonderful job, don’t just tell them but tell their team leader or boss how great they are too.
Pay for the person behind you at the coffee stand.
Bring in a shared activity for the break room, for example, a jigsaw puzzle or collaborative art or craft project.
If you are a leader or manager kindness starts with you (here are some extra ideas for you).
Acknowledge publicly your staff who make a big impact or have great attitudes.
Say sorry for any mistakes you have made.
Allow time to celebrate and thank your staff for projects completed, hardships endured and other successes.
Give your team some work time each day to do something that nourishes their ability to work effectively (eg: mindfulness, a walk in the sun, a few yoga stretches).
Make the time to connect with each member of your team, asking about their work and their non-work life.
Take a few minutes each day to work on your own self-compassion.
Share your experiences on social media using #kindatwork
A video of Christina talking about transforming the world of work one kind act at a time