How to demonstrate kindness at work

By Michelle Banks

Being friendly, generous and considerate at work isn’t just the right thing to do. It can also benefit your organization. A kind leader can help retain employees, improve culture, increase engagement and enhance productivity. There’s also a direct link between workplace kindness and overall employee happiness and satisfaction.

As a human resources leader, you can encourage kindness and guide employees toward thoughtful behaviours. You also can lead by example. Here are five easy ways to harness the power of kindness in the workplace.

Make a surprise gesture

When people engage in acts of kindness, there are measurable physical effects. They get a surge of neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine and endorphins. Serotonin and dopamine promote feelings of satisfaction and well-being, while endorphins are natural pain and stress relievers.

Encourage employees to trigger those neurotransmitters by surprising coworkers with goodies, whether it’s homemade muffins or store-bought snacks. Take thing up a notch and plan a pizza party. Or take turns grabbing coffee for the team on the way into the office. Be sure to include everyone and consider dietary restrictions and preferences.

Create an employee recognition program

Employee recognition programs cultivate kindness and come in many forms. Formal programs may include an organized submission process, while informal ones may focus on shout-outs or thank-yous delivered popcorn-style at the end of a meeting.

Start a program that spotlights one person each week. Change up the recognition: Maybe one week it’s someone who went above and beyond to help a customer and the next week it’s someone who’s always willing to lend a helping hand. Rewards don’t have to be big. A lapel pin or stress reliever can pass from one week’s winner to the next. Or create a wall of recognition, where employees write messages of acknowledgement or inspiration. Distribute adhesive notepads to workers as a reminder to participate.

Direct kindness outward

Find ways for teams or your organization as a whole to do good in the community. If possible, set aside paid time for individuals to volunteer on behalf of your company or organize group opportunities. Partner with a local charity to collect food donations, plant trees, clean roadsides, create greeting cards or participate in an adopt-a-family program during the holidays.

Host a fundraiser at your workplace. Employees can donate a set amount of money as an entry fee to participate in fun competitions, like a basketball shooting contest or run/walk challenge. Add an incentive, like an event-specific hoodie or water bottle, for those who participate. The good vibes will resonate in the workplace long after a winner is crowned.

Practice self-care

It’s much easier to show kindness to others when you are kind to yourself. Ensure employees monitor their own mental health and well-being. Encourage them to take action, whether it’s a 10-minute break, day of paid time off or conversation with a friend or colleague. Offer reminders that wellness can impact others and that positivity and kindness can easily spread to others.

It may seem obvious, but being a responsible employee makes a difference too. When individuals finish their work and meet expectations, it relieves others from having to fix mistakes or take on extra duties. That’s right: Simply doing your job can be an act of kindness!

Recognize when someone needs a lift up

Be mindful of coworkers and show compassion when they choose to share a challenge they are facing. Make it a tradition to build a care package for employees who are out sick or coping with the loss of a loved one. Pack items like a favourite book, a tin of cookies and a plush blanket into a cooler tote. Deliver it, along with an uplifting note, to their doorstep.

A little kindness, a big impact

Friendly, generous and considerate behaviours make a big difference in the workplace. Kindness at work is a better predictor of happiness than income. And feeling valued is one of the biggest contributors to workplace happiness. When you model kind behaviours—and encourage them in others—everyone benefits. Implement a workplace kindness challenge today!

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