Ways to cultivate positive workplace behaviours

Colleagues spreading kindness in workplace

Small acts of kindness can make a big positive difference. As well as helping others to feel more welcome and supported, kindness can also support your own wellbeing and physiology.

According to a study by Stanford and UC Berkeley, kindness can also kick-start a physiological reaction that can reduce the stress hormone cortisol.

Stuck for inspiration? Below we’ve listed some of the ways you can help spread a little kindness in the workplace.

Practice gratitude – Gratitude is a feeling of appreciation, and is a great tool to use as part of positive psychology. Practicing gratitude at work can help us to become more mindful and compassionate towards others.

Remember to ask someone how they are – Typically we may have asked this question face-to-face with colleagues in the workplace, but with many more people now working in hybrid setups or at home, it’s important we still find moments to check-in with each other.

Reach out to new colleagues – Making new friends can feel a little daunting when you’re new, especially if you’re working online a lot of the time. Inviting new colleagues to lunch or to a virtual coffee break is a great way to help them feel welcome and included.

Offer to help – If you notice someone is having a bad day, or is having to work extra hours, offering a helping hand can make a big difference to how that person is feeling. Taking the time to listen to someone else’s struggles can also help to lighten the load.

Give praise – Offering praise to colleagues for achievements and hard work will help to create a culture where staff feel valued and rewarded. It can also help to boost morale and drive performance.

Remember to say thank you – Don’t forget to say “thank you” to colleagues when they have helped you out or made the extra effort to make you feel welcome. This type of gratitude can help people to feel appreciated and more positive about themselves.