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EmilyCowan
Level 7

Study: Kindness in the Workplace Makes for Better, Happier Employees

happyworker.stocksy.jpg

 

The next time you feel inspired to do something nice for someone, consider directing that impulse toward your employees - it will make them better workers, according to a recent study

 

Employees at a Spanish company were randomly assigned the roles of Giver, Receiver, or Control. Givers were provided with a personalized list of Receivers and a mission: practice five random acts of kindness over the next month. 

 

The benefits were striking. In the short-term both Givers and Receivers actually became more effective at their jobs, rating higher on weekly measures of competence and autonomy. Over the long-term Givers said they felt more satisfied with their lives and jobs, and Receivers reported feeling happier overall. Even better? Receivers were nearly three times more likely to "pay it forward" by performing acts of kindness toward others both at work and at home. 

 

I've written about this before, but given the sheer amount time and energy we spend at work it seems there is no downside - and quite a significant upside - to bringing our best selves to our jobs and the people we encounter there, be they employees, partners, customers, or clients.

 

How do you rate the importance of kindness and generosity of spirit in the workplace when there are so many more concrete and quantifiable measures of a healthy business? Is there anything you do on a regular basis to improve "quality of life" at work?

 

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6 Comments 6
lynda
Community Champion

Study: Kindness in the Workplace Makes for Better, Happier Employees

There were many of my friend’s (yoga teachers) doing this at our local Starbucks.  Buying a coffee for the next guest!  It works.  What a great way to make people smile.  Nice article, Emily!

 

:cathappy:

EmilyCowan
Level 7

Study: Kindness in the Workplace Makes for Better, Happier Employees

@lynda, I love that!

 

I have to admit I was super-excited to run across this study, since pay-it-forward is kinda my thing. Last year my communty Facebook group raised $250 in a GoFundMe campaign just to hand over the cash at the drive-thu window of a local Dunkin Donuts. Small stuff like that can absolutely make someone's day, and it makes sense to try to bring some of that goodness into the workplace.

lynda
Community Champion

Study: Kindness in the Workplace Makes for Better, Happier Employees

@EmilyCowan:  I actually have taught my yoga students the power of a smile and looking into someone's eyes.  There is amazing power in that in this world of burying our faces into our phones.

EmilyCowan
Level 7

Study: Kindness in the Workplace Makes for Better, Happier Employees

@lynda that is so very true. I'm actually reminded of a recent thread in which we discussed strategies for remembering/being remembered by new contacts you might meet at a networking event. That's a very simple way to achieve both objectives, I think: Look in a person's eyes when you greet them, smile, and BE PRESENT.

jfpconsultancy
Level 2

Study: Kindness in the Workplace Makes for Better, Happier Employees

Oh, wow!.  I love that idea.  Gosh, I am really having my eyes opened.  Simple kind gestures - "paying it forward".

Love the article.

jfpconsultancy
Level 2

Study: Kindness in the Workplace Makes for Better, Happier Employees

I love this article and genuine interest in making the workplace a lovely environment as we do spend so much time at it. 

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