In the school environment, children are often being told to ‘be kind to one another’ however, somewhere between the school gate and the workplace, it seems that kindness is treated like an ‘optional extra’.
With the dramatic increase in remote and hybrid working and the demise of the valuable water cooler chats, kindness has arguably become less of a workplace priority. In certan scenarios, employees have also reduced connectivity to their positions, and in some circumstances; their peers. The issue for employers is that when kindness leaves the workplace, it is not long before team work, collaboration, discretionary effort and innovation follows.
To the employer's credit, the focus on wellbeing has never been stronger and we are seeing organisations worldwide stand up to the challenge of building authentic workplaces where people can be themselves in order to bring their best to work. Increasingly, we are also seeing kindness as a key part of the HR strategy as organisations scramble to reap the benefits of the ‘kindness movement’.
What we know is that kindness is contagious and employees feel secure and committed to organisations that are able to demonstrate that they genuinely care.
According to professor of psychiatry at Cedars-Sinai, Dr IsHak, the warm feeling of wellbeing that washes over you when you’ve done something kind isn’t just in your head. It appears that kindness triggers the ‘love hormone’ oxytocin, which is directly linked to playing a key role in forming social bonds and building trust.
Dr. IsHak says studies have also linked random acts of kindness to releasing dopamine, a chemical messenger in the brain that can give us a feeling of euphoria. This feel-good brain chemical is credited with causing what's known as a ‘helper's high’. As if that isn’t enough of a reason to embrace kindness, it also is linked to increasing serotonin which is a neurotransmitter that helps to regulate moods.
Whilst a simple act of kindness will reward our bodies and mind with these feel good chemicals, the effects aren’t long-lasting. Dr IsHak warns that, biochemically, the 3-4 minute oxytocin boost that comes from a single act of kindness is hardly enough nourishment so it is recommended that kindness be consistently included as part of our daily rituals.
Workplace kindness should not be confused as merely a 'nice to have'. It may be defined as a behaviour that shows goodwill, positivity, collaboration and care; but it doesn't just benefit the person sitting next to you. Some of the top workplace benefits your business may enjoy include:
A workplace that embraces kindness can see a shift in engagement. This is due to employees feeling like they belong and knowing that when the chips are down, there will be someone there with an outstretched hand. It can translate to employees feeling more valued when respectful relationships are formed and kindness is displayed.
If you have been a recipient of a kindness culture, chances are you haven't spent your evenings on job search sites. Kindness at work helps employees to feel that they will be supported in both success and challenges. It helps workers to know that they are part of something bigger than themselves and that when it counts, there will be an army of team mates ready and willing to help.
When employees feel like they are in a respected and valued culture where kindness is king, they tend to have the confidence and passion to meet and exceed their targets. This comes from not being afraid to take risks, knowing that everyone in the team has the right intent and is there to genuinely cheer them on.
When employees are kind and supportive of one another, it is a workplace that noone wants to leave. Most employees want to move on when they have experienced a culture that is toxic and unsupportive. Conversely, it is common for great workers to stay on long after they have outgrown the position simply because the workplace culture is so good that they cant imagine working anywhere else.
Ten tips to build kindness into your workplace culture
Our workplace experiences shape our sense of belonging, productivity, engagement and innovation. When we feel that we belong, there is a strong sense of community, connection and collaboration.
The following are 10 easy tips to build kindness into your workplace culture:
When kindness becomes the backbone of workplace culture, magical things can happen and single acts of kindness are ‘paid forward’ from one employee to the next. It becomes second nature and employees seek to make kindness a regular part of their day. Irrespective of whether employees share a workplace cubicle or they are thousands of kilometres apart, kindness can always be chosen as an essential workplace behaviour that bonds employees in times of success or adversity.
The thing about kindness is that it benefits both the sender and the receiver and generates a greater sense of purpose and community. Shifting the emphasis to include kindness in your organisation can have an astonishing ripple effect that will leave your competitors scratching their heads and coworkers settling in for the long haul.
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Georgina is Senior HR Content Editor – Publications at Ai Group. She is an accomplished Human Resource professional with over 25 years of generalist and leadership experience in a broad range of industries including financial services, tourism, travel, government and agriculture. She has successfully advised and partnered with senior leaders to implement people and performance initiatives that align to business strategy. Georgina is committed to utilising her experience to create resources that educate and engage and is passionate about supporting members to optimise an inclusive workforce culture that drives performance.
