To be kind, or not to be Kind

Watching television today, with shows such as Succession and Industry attracting worldwide audiences, someone might be inclined to believe that the workplace is an entirely hostile environment, a dog-eat-dog world, where only the strong can survive. Indeed, many may feel that way. I am here to argue, however, that kindness is an asset in the corporate world, one that should be nurtured and developed. The Greek storyteller Aesop is attributed to the saying “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” In a world where a majority of workers no longer earn pensions and stay at one company for their entire careers, leaders and companies can no longer get by without earning loyalty and goodwill from their employees. Studies indicate that kindness increases trust within an organization, attracts new employees, and enhances both the employee and customers engagement. In fact, Gallup research indicates that employee engagement is a significant predictor of profitability and productivity within an organization. How then can we begin the practice of making a workplace kinder? First is to clarify the difference between politeness and kindness. Politeness refers to the human tendency to be respectful, while kindness eases the burdens of others. In 2021 Adam Grant tweeted this:

Too often we confuse kindness with being polite, which is not the case. Is it kind to ignore a struggling employee and tell them they are doing great while they are losing clients and being unresponsive? You may feel it polite to not comment, but the true kindness would be in coaching the employee and working with them to improve their performance. It is polite to not point and stare at someone who has fallen, but it is kind to help them up and on their way. In my experience kindness in the workplace is made up of the 3 C’s: Candor - Be clear with your expectations, and the expectations of those around you. There is nothing worse than an employee who is confused about what their role is, where they need improvement, and what is going on. Ambiguity is unkind, as it creates uncertainty and worry and in the absence of concrete information people will begin to imagine what they believe is going on. Candor and clarity are what is needed most, particularly when bad news is being given. This is not the time to beat around the bush in the name of being kind - true kindness is being clear and upfront about the circumstances and what is occurring. Compassion - Life is complex, and people are more than just their jobs. They have whole lives made up of many problems and concerns, both little and big, both at work and in their personal lives. When we ignore the complexity of humans and the fullness of their lives, we are doing a disservice and being unkind, which is never going to be a benefit to business. Showing compassion to an employee’s full experience allows them to be invested where and when they need to be. Consistency - Consistency will always be key to anything in life; exercise, creating habits, being kind. People feel secure when you are consistent in your actions and words and that consistency follows you wherever and whatever you do. When you are consistent in your expectations and requests, you are being kind to everyone around you. So, let’s bring a little more kindness into the workplace! What is one thing you can do today as a kindness to a coworker?