On Random Acts of Kindness Day – we ask has your workplace lost the love? If the atmosphere’s been a little fraught of late, here’s an opportunity to reach out and spread the love. Often, it’s the smallest acts of kindness that make the biggest impact. Our top 5 tips will help soothe cranky colleagues and transform petty squabbles. And may even create a group hug-in at your next team meeting.
What is Random Acts of Kindness Day?
Random Acts of Kindness Day first sprung up in Denver, Colorado in 1995 and later spread to New Zealand and the UK. The aim of the day is to collectively make the world a better place by providing small acts of kindness to our fellow humans. As Leo Buscaglia, (aka Doctor Love) puts it: “Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring. All of which have the potential to turn a life around.”
Research from Wisconsin University has shown that those who perform good deeds in the office are happier and more fulfilled than those who don’t prioritise others. Altruism is also good for our mental health as it contributes to an improved sense of wellbeing and life satisfaction.
When is Random Acts of Kindness Day?
It’s celebrated on the 17 February and was created by the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. The foundation is an internationally recognized non-profit dedicated to providing resources and tools that encourage acts of kindness.
5 ways to celebrate random acts of kindness at work
Praise others
Praising others is a very simple way of showing your gratitude and appreciation. Compliments that work best relate to the accomplishment of tasks, and crucially, the way in which the task was performed. By making the extra effort to focus on the individual’s particular quirks and strengths, you affect them on a much deeper level.
Look at the difference in the two examples below:
That was a great job you did on the procurement project
I really liked the way you managed all the key stakeholders on the procurement project.
Transform your team away day
All too often the team away day can descend into a mundane tick box exercise. To add altruism to the mix, ask each team member to write three positive things about other team members before the away day. On the day, the positive comments are distributed to each of the team members anonymously. Team members have reported experiencing a huge boost with some individuals keeping the papers for years after the away day. Far more meaningful than another SWOT analysis.
Talk to a co-worker you’ve never spoken to before
This is an exercise that works well in large offices where there’s little incentive to speak to others outside your immediate team. Talking to strangers is a fantastic way to boost your confidence while also brightening up someone else’s day. It also helps to break down the barriers we all erect when judging people we don’t know. It could be a quick comment about the weather while in the lift or commiserating in the kitchen about the return to work after Christmas. Challenge yourself to speak to someone new today.
Take an apprentice/ junior member of staff out for a coffee
We all remember how awkward it feels to start your first job particularly if you’ve just left school. I was nineteen when I had my first taste of the working world as an English Assistant in the South of France. As the youngest staff member by several decades, I was saved by the kindness of one English teacher who took me under her wing. Several decades on, we’re still in contact and I will never forget her kindness. So if you’ve got a new young starter, treat them to coffee and help ease their transition into the working world.
Bring treats to the office
If all else fails, bringing in treats is guaranteed to put a smile on the face of even the most cantankerous colleague. Cake is one of the best options with Victoria sponge or Lemon Drizzle proving to the most popular in my team. (Be wary of biscuits – as tastes seem to differ wildly here.) You can also offer healthy snacks such as fruit to be kind to the waistline too. If you’re working from home on Friday 17 February – check out our tips on acts of kindness that you can do while working from home.
What will you do in your office to celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Day?