The value of kindness at work

I had this friend very many years ago. I helped him with some really small stuff when he asked for it. I don’t even remember what it is I did for him. But over the years, this friend has stood by me every time that I have turned to him.?

He would make time for me in between his own life. Our kids are roughly the same age, and we often connect because they share some similar interests. Our conversations about life are great. And somehow I don't really think that over the years I have put as much into the relationship as he has.?

My friend unashamedly calls it goodwill. That he chooses to be so present with me, is because of goodwill. I was there for him at that one point of time, and everything he has done since is goodwill.?

Goodwill is when you return the favour many many times over. So many times over. And often goodwill balances more than just balance sheets. It balances lives, all of our lives.?

When it’s my turn, I always remember what this friend told me about goodwill, and I pass it on. It could be having a counseling conversation with another friend’s relative, or it could be helping somebody source a hard to source piece of hardware, it could be deploying my network for somebody else - anything at all.?

My friend taught me how to create value out of thin air. That’s what goodwill is. He also showed me that goodwill is scalable. Great way to think isn’t it??

Is there space for goodwill at work? Can we do this for each other at work??

I simply call it kindness at work. Is there a way to make kindness a scalable asset at work??

Be kind deliberately?

How can you be kind when you have to tell somebody off for something that they are not doing right or doing well??

How can you give feedback/ reallocate resources/ start a PIP kindly??

I know you can put in a lot of negative situations here, and you are right to think that if you choose to be kind all the time, the business might never make money.?

Well, not really.?

Being kind doesn’t mean that you sugarcoat things or give sandwich feedback. Being kind means being considerate and involved.?

Rather than telling somebody why they are likely to get fired because they are doing something wrong, kindness would mean setting the context. Kindness would mean also giving their air space to talk. Kindness would mean hearing them out. Kindness would mean co-creating a plan of action (whatever that maybe). Kindness simply means generosity in time and consideration.?

So be kind. Deliberately.?

Trust that people have genuinely thought through their opinions?

This is a tough one.?

When you ask people for suggestions and opinions, there are as many as there are mouths and more. The problem starts when you (the suggestion seeker), starts doubting the veracity of those opinions or starts judging what another is saying.?

Given a ton of new ways to do something, it makes sense to set some parameters to evaluate the ideas. But it doesn’t do to downplay somebody’s idea or thought process, simply because you don’t trust them or you feel it might not work.?

Trust that people are putting their best foot forward. Honestly, being kind makes it easy for you. If you trust that people are coming to the table with the best of their experience, just as you are, it helps you share the responsibility just as easily.?

And it is as tough as it is easy.?

You are in charge of your own narrative.?

The world over, people craft their own realities in their heads. In organizations, there’s a shared reality.?

Imagine if personnel cost was removed from the expenses column and moved into the investments column - how would that change the story in the organization??

I am guessing it will change everything.?

So - take charge of your own kindness narrative. Make your own type of kind. You can be direct, respectful and involved - without pulling down a person’s sense of self worth.?

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Now imagine if some of us or even most of us decided to invest in this culture of compassion at work. And some of us could even craft a filter of sorts so that we are more humane with each other, more understanding.?

For example, if somebody emails you that they are finding it tough to do something, involve yourself in that email. Respond to them at their frequency. You can afford to be not brusque in that email simply if you let yourself respond like a human.?

Make some time everyday to involve yourself beyond the niceties. Trust me, the goodwill that you generate will be many times over what you yourself might have received in a lifetime.?

It is always a great day to create value out of thin air.?