By Marcia Eager, LCSW, CEAP, Solutions EAP Coordinator
Kindness in the workplace can be controversial. Kindness can sometimes be misinterpreted as weak or naiveté. It sometimes can be looked upon as favoritism. If an organization practices kindness it leaves little room for negative activities like gossiping, bullying, harassment and favoritism. Employees feel safer to express their concerns and ideas to improve the workplace. When you feel valued you are more likely to bring your “whole-self” to work.

William Baker and Michael O’Malley authors of the book Leading with Kindness, feel that corporate kindness impacts profits, improves employee performance and retention. Kindness does not have to get in the way of setting and reaching goals on our jobs.

Interaction Associates recently conducted a research project of 211 business leaders. Their findings “demonstrates that companies with strong employee and customer retention rely on lots of points of view in setting direction and implementation, and acknowledge individual and team performance and contributions. These high-retention organizations also report that employees are treated fairly regardless of position or rank, and people in their companies have a sense of shared commitment and responsibility.”

Think about ways you can begin or step up your commitment to treating co-workers with kindness. The options range from getting your part of that project done in a timely manner to giving a co-worker a little treat if their having a bad day. Give it anonymously and enjoy watching the pleasure that person gets. Once you being to spread kindness you may find a surprise token of care on your desk or locker one day!

More on Kindness next week….
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George "Bud" Wassell, MS, LPC, CEAP
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