Random acts of kindness

Random acts of kindness

Director Jo Harley looks at how being kind to others, may impact on our own experiences at work.

One of the questions that we always ask people when they're completing their planning for their talent toolbox performance review is: 'on a scale of 1-10 how happy are you in your role?' The idea behind this is that we can benchmark organisational happiness year on year and against our latest benchmarking figures (53% of people were 'extremely happy' in their roles last year). More importantly, however, it gives the manager the opportunity to ask in the one to one meeting, 'what would make you a 10' or 'what can we do to make you happier at work'.

We have always believed that the manager/company are instrumental in a person's happiness at work. To a point I am sure this is still very true, and we have been helping companies to do this for years (if you want some pointers then drop helen@learnpurple.com an e mail and she'll be delighted to talk to you). Anyway, I was reading something at the weekend that has made me think twice about this; and wonder if on some level its actually down to the individual to do what they can in the workplace to ensure they are happy too. After all, isn't happiness a state of mind? In his book 'Authentic Happiness', Martin Seligman, one of the founders of positive psychology, describes happiness as consisting of "positive emotions" and "positive activities". Wikipedia states that happiness is 'a state of mind or feeling characterised by contentment, love, satisfaction, pleasure, or joy'. If you think about these emotions in terms of the workplace what is it that brings these about? What is it at work that brings you pleasure or joy?

For me it is when I have achieved something, and for me that achievement is usually measured in terms of making someone else (a colleague, a client, my MD) happy. Whether it's by delivering superb customer service, delivering on our targets or giving praise where it is due. So, at work, I feel at my happiest when I am making someone else happy. Which brings me back to the article that I was reading this weekend, by Jessica Brinton for 'Style' magazine. This is the premise that at the moment it is 'cool to be kind'. Perhaps this is because of the economic climate; or the awareness of green issues in the workplace - but it is definitely something that I have noticed happening - and the best thing, it's free!

There are now websites dedicated to spreading kindness, www.extremekindness.com; www.helpothers.org/; www.actsofkindness.com and whilst they may be a bit 'American' for us cynical Brits, the message is the same: do something kind for someone else and you will feel great about yourself. It's not new, and it's not rocket science. Some of our trainers have been teaching this for years - they use the 'Bank of Emotions' concept to illustrate to delegates how by 'paying in' to someone's bank you are then able to 'withdraw' more at a later stage. So for example if you pay in by making an effort to smile at people every morning, then the one day you come in and are scowling - people are likely to be understanding, supportive and not be annoyed that you are moody. If you are always frowning, well, you get where I am going.

However, in times of high stress and uncertainty it is easy to forget. In 2008 a group of twentysomethings launched the 'Kindness offensive' to 'do good in the world, have fun doing good, and be seen to have fun doing good'. This initiative has brought a lot of happiness to a lot of Londoners.

So my question is: what can we do that will make a difference to someone else in our workplace? What random act of kindness could you do today that will make someone you interact with feel good? Do it now, and I bet you will feel happier as a result. Do it every day and the next time you are asked how happy you are at work and why, you will be able to rate yourself as very happy without relying on someone else to do it for you, plus, you will have made the world a better place for someone else!

1 December 2009

Sally on 1 December 2009

I think this is something that us Brits could certainly improve on! In comparision to other European countries such as Italy and France, where they take time to properly greet their colleagues at the start of each day and share mid-morning coffee breaks (although the hot weather and the alfresco lifestyle in such countries does give them a helping hand!), we pale in comparison. Although having said that, apparently individuals working in service industries in Japan have complained about muscle ache and mental illness from having to smile at all times.... so may be best not to take it too far!!!

MJ on 2 December 2009

This absolutely mirrors my philosophy of what you give is what you get and actually if you take the time to get to know your colleagues, you may be able to do an act of kindness that means even more if you can appeal to their values.This summer Jane (Sunley MD of learnpurple) knowing that the London to Brighton bike ride was an important event for me, first time, big challenge etc, made the effort to sit on a wall at a ridiculous time on a Sunday morning to watch me go past and wish me luck. This cost no money but actually meant more than a pay rise, would I try harder, give more and be even more committed as a result... you bet! Random acts of kindness do not have to cost money but they do have to mean something!

Jane Sunley on 3 December 2009

Wordsworth said "The best portion of a good man's life [is] his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness..."
Life's too short not to do all you can to make the world a better place and being kind is definitely a part of this. It's a cliche but what goes around definitely comes around. I know lots of examples of where a kind act has paid back tenfold. It makes you feel good too. We could all do with a little TLC following the challenges of 2009 so let's go into 2010 with kindness.
As it's almost Christmas, I think cheesy quotations are allowed so here are are a few more 'kind quotes' to get you thinking:

If you haven't any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble. ~Bob Hope

Never look down on anybody unless you're helping him up. ~Jesse Jackson

I always prefer to believe the best of everybody, it saves so much trouble. ~Rudyard Kipling

Jon on 7 December 2009

Absolutely Christmas around the corner...Perfect time to start a kindness offensive!!!

One of my favorite acts of kindness is taking the time to remember something about someone and then ask them about it next time I see them....(Family, holidays, project...anything that is important to them!)

Its what good landlords have been doing for years in pubs!

As testament to the concept of of what you give is what you get back, I feel better already having jut shared this comment...see it works!