February 10th – 16th, 2014 is “Random Acts of Kindness” Week
Recently I was surfing the TV channels and came across a movie I’d seen years ago – Pay it Forward – starring Kevin Spacey and Helen Hunt. The film is about a young boy that attempts to make the world a better place after his teacher gives him that chance. One small child was able to impact both his own world, as well as that of others, with deliberate acts of kindness.
Random Acts of Kindness Week is an unofficial holiday increasingly celebrated around the world. It is intended to encourage daily acts of kindness for a week in hopes that it will catch on and have a ripple effect. The focus is on using a spirit of hope and goodness. It is a springboard for action and a time to be open and act spontaneously because of sincere thoughts of generosity.
What is a Random Act of Kindness?
A Random Act of Kindness is often described as a selfless and unexpected act performed by a person or people wishing to either assist or cheer up an individual person or people. It is conducted simply out of the will to extend goodness, person to person, without expecting anything in return. Wow! What a concept! Can you imagine if everyone on the planet bought into this strategy to make the world a better place?
Although this week is focused on kindness in all corners of our lives, for the purposes of this blog, I’m focusing on Random Acts of Kindness in the workplace. My goal is to help you see how kindness can impact individual thinking and interpersonal relationships when one’s actions are deliberately intended to make others feel special. By performing random acts of kindness on a regular basis, each individual can improve their social and communication skills so positively that it may indeed contribute to the overall corporate culture of the company.
With your support and encouragement, is it feasible that everyone in your organization may choose to perform THREE simple acts of kindness each day for one week? They say that what goes around comes around – and with kindness it really does. Research shows that being kind to others increases our own levels of happiness as well as theirs. What’s more it has a knock-on effect – kindness is contagious, so it makes our communities nicer places to be.
Here are 25 suggestions for you and your colleagues to celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Week in your workplace and/or personal life.
- Say “Good Morning” it means you are acknowledging someone’s presence and that they are important
- Smile at Others -people appreciate being noticed and acknowledged, especially with a friendly smile
- Say Something Nice About Someone – so often things are said behind other people’s backs
- Ask if You Can Help – many people find it quite difficult to ask someone for help
- Compliment an Employee to Management – you’ll encourage continued cooperation and support
- Send a Note of Appreciation – an email to someone that has made a difference to you no matter how small
- Anonymous Supportive Note placed on a colleague’s desk will make their day
- Compliment Someone how many times do we forget to let someone wearing know we think they have a nice outfit, great hair or great voice. It’s a little thing but can really light up someone’s day
- Be a Genuine Person -when you say you will do something, do it. When you ask someone how they are doing, wait for them to answer and really listen to them.
- Encourage Someone – with words, a hug, a gift or even an email or phone call
- Give Affirmation words can heal, they can bring comfort and they can transform lives
- Pat Someone on the Back – show recognition and gratitude for something they have done well
- Thank Your Employees a good boss is someone with great communication skills, strong ethics and good leadership skills
- Praise Your Boss – say how you appreciate how he/she supports you
- Hold the Door Open for Someone it is a polite and thoughtful act you can easily do
- Let Someone Go in Front of You it makes that person’s day a little better
- Clean Up After Yourself – show your consideration of others
- Offer a cup of coffee or tea to a colleague
- Extend a friendly invite to an introverted or shy colleague
- Share in the ‘not so’ pleasant tasks at work
- Pay Attention to positive news and pass it on
- Actively Listen to a colleague when they are seeking your input. Practice non-judgment.
- Seek Out a new employee and volunteer to be their ‘buddy’ for their first month on the job
- Coordinate a Lucky Dog Draw – winner takes the money and does a Random Act of Kindness; and last but not least
- Be Kind to Yourself because you deserve it. Do something special to treat yourself
This week try to make kindness a priority in your workplace; then watch the ripple effect through the rest of the month.
For a little kindness inspiration, enjoy this video There are Still Good People in the World
Think Kindly & Act Boldly!
“You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.”
~Ralph Waldo Emerson