As a guiding force in the workplace, the demands of a 40-hour (or extended) workweek often overshadow the chances we possess to brighten someone’s day. From substantial contributions like assisting in project research to the seemingly insignificant gesture of retrieving a stray piece of paper, these minor yet meaningful acts of benevolence hold immense potential to foster employee engagement, team cohesion, and overall morale.
As we approach the auspicious occasion of World Kindness Day on November 13th, I offer you thirteen profound suggestions to embody the spirit of daily benevolence through the lens of a servant leadership, setting an exemplary precedent:
1. Provide easy team convenience.
The gesture could be fleeting, akin to extending a helping hand by bringing coffee to a colleague while you refill your own mug. Or, it might involve a more premeditated approach, such as arranging a weekly snack share (perhaps some delectable donuts?) and motivating your team members to follow suit.
2. Offer words of encouragement.
During our meetings, it is crucial to offer praise to our team members. Furthermore, we should reward those employees who demonstrate mutual recognition and appreciation for their peers. Remember, a few heartfelt words of commendation can truly transform someone’s entire day.
3. Set reminders for employee recognition.
Set aside a moment each day or week to acknowledge at least one individual who contributed to the enhancement of your work environment. Expressing this recognition can be as straightforward as sending a heartfelt email of gratitude.
4. Start a conversation in the elevator.
When sharing an elevator ride with a person you’re not overly familiar with, initiating a simple “Hello!” is effortless. Engage them in a conversation about their occupation and inquire about what aspect of it they cherish the most. This gesture of interest can serve as a powerful incentive for them as they return to their desk.
5. Listen to someone ventilate.
Occasionally, the most compassionate gesture you can offer someone is to stand by their side in moments of vexation. Serve as a reliable echo chamber, inquiring whether they seek counsel or merely desire to purge their emotions. Both avenues can be profoundly beneficial.
6. Celebrate winnings.
Irrespective of the magnitude, it is crucial to honor the triumphs of your workforce. A swift note of gratitude for their diligent efforts throughout an extensive project, or even treating them to lunch upon attaining their objective, are both commendable ways to recognize their achievements.
7. Recognize personal milestones.
Irrespective of the magnitude, it is crucial to honor the triumphs of your workforce. A swift note of gratitude for their diligent efforts throughout an extensive project, or even treating them to lunch upon attaining their objective, are both commendable ways to recognize their achievements.
8. Support the charity of your team’s choice.
To celebrate the attainment of certain milestones, why not organize a fundraising event or contribute to your team’s preferred organizations? This approach not only fosters a spirit of camaraderie and healthy competition, but it also alleviates undue pressure on your staff.
9. Organize a team output.
On a few occasions annually, consider venturing out with your team beyond the confines of the office. The novelty of a different setting can serve as a delightful respite from the routine monotony of daily office routines.
10. Write holiday cards.
The art of penning personalized holiday greetings is an exquisite method to acknowledge each team member’s diligent efforts throughout the past year, offering a heartfelt token of gratitude for their individual contributions.
11. Help your team meet new people.
Irrespective of whether you helm a modest enterprise or occupy a position in a vast conglomerate, it is inevitable that there exist individuals within your workspace who are not acquainted with each other, perhaps even strangers. Endeavor to introduce them or reveal the common threads that unite them. You can never predict the prospects that might arise from the bonds you forge.
12. Display motivating words.
Craft a compelling mission statement for your team, or select some inspiring quotes and display them prominently in your workspace. Feel free to update these regularly, aligning them with the specific needs and aspirations of your team members for that particular week, to serve as a continuous source of motivation and inspiration.
13. Ask for help.
It’s important to be kind to yourself too! When you feel stressed or unmotivated, use your team as a source of help where they can. They will be glad that you can rely on them and you can take a break.Self-compassion is paramount! Whenever you encounter stress or a lack of motivation, leverage your team as a support system. They’ll appreciate your trust in them, and it’ll give you an opportunity to take a well-deserved respite.It’s important to be kind to yourself too! When you feel stressed or unmotivated, use your team as a source of help where they can. They will be glad that you can rely on them and you can take a break.
