Finding qualified employees seems harder than ever so the pressure is on us to keep employees motivated, productive and satisfied. So how do we it? With the workforce now spanning four generations, that is the big question. One answer is simple, bring back the simple act of kindness. 88% of employees believe that being treated with kindness and respect is critical to their job satisfaction. (SHRM) But exactly how do we put this simple concept into action and what do we really gain from it?
Most importantly, it is important to know that kindness doesn’t cost a thing. It can be a sincere compliment on a job well done. Share a smile and a greeting to start the day. And without a doubt, unkindness, such as harsh words, dismissiveness, and a lack of appreciation in all its many forms, cannot be tolerated. While this sounds easy, 67% of employees report that they have experienced unkind behavior at work, at least once a week. (Civility in America Report, 2022). As leaders, we must lead by example and publicly praise others when we witness simple acts of kindness; we set the tone.
Studies show that it isn’t just the right thing to do, it is the practical thing to do. Gallup has reported that workplaces with a strong culture of kindness can see a 23% higher employee engagement and a 25% lower turnover. Kindness is reported to contribute to a 51% increase in mental clarity (APA study, 2020). Finally, companies with higher levels of workplace kindness report a 16% increase in profitability due to better teamwork and fewer conflicts. (SHRM, 2020). That’s a real ROI that you can feel good about while making others feel good!
