Why is it Important to Practice Kindness at Work?

Employees, executives, leaders, and stakeholders are all at work for the majority of their lives. It is critical that they all have a productive and progressive experience. One of the simplest ways to do this is to practice kindness at work, which is also one of the most under-discussed topics. However, James Rhee, an entrepreneur, discusses the importance of practicing kindness at work in this episode of the TED Business podcast, which can be found on Apple Podcasts.

Why is it Important to Practice Kindness at Work?

James begins the podcast episode by discussing how certain acts of kindness he witnessed at work and in his daily routine made him realize how important and simple it is to make a small gesture that can make someone feel at ease and comfortable. In short, kindness is a skill that aids in the development of interpersonal skills that can lead to long-term healthy relationships. As a result, showing kindness at work should be a requirement. He goes on to explain how kindness at work can be incorporated into a company’s operating model. He identifies three key points to consider in order to fully comprehend and adapt to practicing kindness at work.

The first factor, he says, is that leaders must have the courage to establish a workplace culture of kindness. Kindness, in addition to morals, has a strategic value at work. Enforcing a “kindness culture” at work will result in a change in each individual, further establishing a healthy working environment.

Second, once leaders are confident in the authenticity of the internal goodwill they foster, it is critical that they make it visible to everyone. He claims that trusting employees and customers is just another form of kindness.

Third, he recommends improving internal communication. However, rather than forcing everyone to practice kindness at work, it is critical to let the process flow naturally. Towards the end of the episode, it is suggested that as a minimum, complimenting and motivating one another be encouraged as a way to practice kindness at work.

Summary

Kindness is neither a strategy nor a skill. Kindness at work, on the other hand, can drive a number of strategic aspects that can help enforce effective teamwork, communication, and a positive working environment. Although it is an underappreciated topic, practicing kindness at work is critical for a variety of reasons, as discussed in this episode of the TED Business podcast, hosted by entrepreneur James Rhee and available on Apple Podcasts.