Kindness in the Workplace

(Written by Steffi Black)

As a kindness coach, I have the opportunity to go to elementary schools and teach children about the importance of kindness. We present 45-minute workshops and leave them with a monthly curriculum that puts emphasis on completing three acts of kindness each week. Studies demonstrate that these actions make positive differences in the values and social skills that these children acquire.

In the corporate setting, performing acts of kindness has a similar benefit. Being kind makes us feel good. According to author and scientist David R. Hamilton: “It is believed that the good feeling we get when we are kind or helpful to another person is due to elevated levels of the brain’s natural version of morphine and heroin, known as endogenous opioids. They cause elevated levels of dopamine in the brain, giving us a natural high, often referred to as Helper’s High.”

His research also proved that acts of kindness increase the production of oxytocin, a feel-good hormone that is accompanied by emotional warmth and has been shown to decrease stress.

In the corporate environment, kindness makes for better relationships. Showing kindness or doing a kind act for someone reduces the emotional distance between people. It’s a bonding experience and it makes a workplace a nicer place to be in. We all enjoy working with people who care about us and enjoy our company.

Emphasizing kindness and compassion in the workplace also makes for a better work environment. It’s a win-win for shareholders— happier people work harder, and in turn increase productivity. From the employees perspective, working for a caring company is more enjoyable, which is important when you spend 40 plus hours there every week.

I think that every corporate vision and mission should include a kindness mentality. In today’s fast-paced, industrialized society where stress and anxiety levels are higher than ever, couldn’t we all use a little more compassion in our daily co-worker exchanges?

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” -Aesop

If you’d like to ‘spread the kindness’ in your company please visit Steffi at http://www.steffiblackcoaching.com/kindness-in-the-workplace.html

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