5 powerful strategies to increase kindness in the workplace
In today’s fast-paced and competitive world, fostering kindness in the workplace might not be everyone’s priority. However, promoting kindness isn't just about creating a warm and fuzzy atmosphere at the office - it's about nurturing a culture that boosts job satisfaction, engagement, loyalty, productivity, and overall well-being.
At the Personal Brand Project, we understand the vital role kindness plays in personal and professional success. That's why we're excited to share five practical and powerful ways to promote kindness in the workplace.
Why is kindness in the workplace important?
Kindness increases job satisfaction
Kindness creates a pleasant environment where team members get along well, which leads to greater job satisfaction.
Kindness makes everyone more engaged
Acts of kindness boost employee engagement and encourage active participation in organisational goals and values.
Kindness encourages loyalty
Employees who feel valued and supported are more likely to stay loyal to their organisation, reducing turnover rates and building a strong sense of community.
Kindness boosts productivity
A positive work environment driven by kindness motivates employees to work harder, meet goals, and collaborate effectively. This ultimately enhances productivity.
Kindness creates a positive culture
Kindness cultivates a culture of respect, collaboration, and inclusivity, which attracts top talent and improves your organisation's reputation.
5 powerful strategies to increase kindness in the workplace
Strategy 1: Start a workplace kindness challenge
Encouraging your team members to do a kindness challenge can be a fun way to infuse kindness into your workplace culture. For example, you can propose a two-week kindness campaign in which employees are encouraged to perform one act of kindness daily. Incorporate ground rules to keep things exciting, such as:
Participants must engage in a different act of kindness each day, ensuring variety and creativity.
At least one act of kindness per week must be to be anonymous.
Participants should do at least one act that pushes them out of their comfort zone to encourage growth and empathy.
Generate enthusiasm and keep the momentum going with these tips and ideas:
Institute a 'Random Act of Kindness Award' where individuals can nominate themselves or others for exemplary acts of kindness.
Use social media platforms to promote the challenge using #WorkplaceKindnessChallenge, showcasing employee efforts and encouraging community engagement.
Acknowledge and celebrate acts of kindness at team meetings to create a culture of appreciation and camaraderie.
Encourage employees to use kindness apps like BeKind or The Kindness App to facilitate and track their acts of kindness.
Launch a workplace donation scheme where employees can contribute a set amount per pay towards a designated charity.
Strategy 2: Celebrate your colleagues
Promote kindness in the workplace by celebrating your team members' achievements and contributions. Recognising and acknowledging their efforts publicly boosts morale and strengthens team dynamics.
Consider giving shoutouts in team meetings, sending appreciation emails, or even surprising them with small tokens of gratitude. By celebrating each other's successes, we create a culture of support and encouragement that motivates everyone.
Strategy 3: Practice self-care
You can't pour from an empty cup, and the same is true for the workplace. Prioritising self-care benefits your well-being and enables you to present yourself as your best self to your colleagues.
Here's how to prioritise self-care amidst your professional responsibilities:
Take regular breaks. Take brief moments for deep breathing and reflection away from your desk to reduce stress and enhance mindfulness.
Go outside. Taking regular outdoor breaks not only immerses you in nature but also boosts your focus and mood.
Integrate more movement. Incorporate physical activity like stair climbing and stretching to stay energised during the day.
Mindful eating and drinking. Monitor your nutrition and hydration to maintain energy levels and mental clarity.
Celebrate your achievements. Acknowledge your successes and embrace positive feedback to boost your confidence.
Establish work-life boundaries. Develop an ‘end-of-day’ ritual to complete work tasks, prioritise upcoming responsibilities, and mentally prepare for the next day.
Strategy 4: Incorporate kindness into your feedback
Providing feedback is essential to professional growth, but delivering it with kindness can make all the difference. By following these simple guidelines, you can ensure that your feedback is received positively while still encouraging growth.
Use ‘I’ statements. Frame feedback using ‘I’ statements to focus on personal experience and promote collaborative problem-solving. ‘I think’ or ‘I don’t agree’ is less accusatory than ‘You’re wrong’ or ‘You’re not doing it right’.
Focus on key points. Limit feedback to one or two key areas to maintain focus and prevent overwhelming your colleague.
Avoid ‘but’ contradictions. This ensures direct, honest feedback without dilution.
Be mindful of nonverbal cues such as body language and facial expressions. This will improve communication and guarantee that your message will be clear.
Encourage dialogue and provide space for the recipient to process and respond to the feedback offered.
Ask permission. Prioritise mutual respect by seeking permission before initiating feedback discussions.
Strategy 5: Start doing random acts of kindness
Random acts of kindness can brighten someone's day and create a ripple effect of positivity. That’s because the 'love hormone' oxytocin, which is associated with social bonding, is released during acts of kindness. Being kind also triggers the release of dopamine, leading to a sense of euphoria known as a ‘helper's high’. Best of all, kindness can boost self-esteem, empathy, and compassion while reducing stress hormones like cortisol. In essence, acts of kindness can encourage connectivity, reduce loneliness, and improve relationships.
From offering to bring breakfast for the team to mentoring a colleague, there are countless ways to spread kindness in the workplace:
Host a breakfast club. Kickstart the week with team bonding over breakfast, in-person or virtually, to foster positive connections.
Welcome new colleagues. Ease newcomers into the workplace by offering guidance, a friendly lunch, or a virtual orientation session.
Send handwritten kindness cards. Express appreciation or encouragement through handwritten notes or thoughtful cards.
Bake and share treats. Brighten everyone's day by sharing homemade treats or organising a baking exchange among team members.
Respect time. Ensure meetings start and end promptly to demonstrate respect for colleagues' time and commitments.