Explore the benefits of "giving" in the workplace.
When
I chased after money, I never had enough. When I got my life on purpose
and focused on giving of myself and everything that arrived into my
life, then I was prosperous.
– Wayne Dyer, author and speaker
When
we're at work, we can spend a lot of energy trying to get help from
those around us. However, how much time do we spend helping others in
return?
Having
a strong social support network at work raises morale, productivity,
and overall success. If we truly want to succeed, however, each of us
must spend time "giving ourselves" to those in our network. Only then
will we experience the true benefits that giving brings, and start to
see the success we've dreamed of.
Benefits of Giving
Giving
makes us happy. The happier we are, the more energy we have, the better
we think, and the more friendships we develop. Giving not only feels
good, but research shows
that it lowers your chance of depression, strengthens your heart,
lowers stress, and can literally add years to your life. Giving — whether it be leaving a small note for a loved one, being of
service to a neighbor, or donating to a charity — causes us to step
outside of our own troubles and think about the bigger picture and how
we fit into it. As such, giving is an important way to better society
while also tapping into our own best selves.
Professionally,
giving also offers several benefits. One study found that fostering
positive social support at work raises productivity. Another study found
that those who give at work ("work altruists"), are far more engaged
with what they do and are more often promoted, compared with colleagues
who stay isolated while doing their job.
However,
you probably don't need research to tell you that giving makes you feel
good! Just think back to the last time you helped a colleague who was
stuck with a problem, or took your assistant out to lunch. Giving boosts
our energy in a way that nothing else can. We feel connected and
engaged when we help others, because it reminds us of what it means to
be human, at its best.
All
this, in turn, comes back to us in ways we could never expect or
predict. Giving creates a network of trust, goodwill, and good energy at
work that can pay off many times over in the future.
Giving
and kindness also have an important ripple effect, which is why one
generous person can transform a team or an organization. The person you
give to feels great about the help they received. This can create a
desire in them to "pay back" that kindness to someone else. Much like
ripples in a pond, one act of kindness can impact dozens, or even
hundreds, of lives.
How to Give More
The
good news about giving is that you don't need to invest huge chunks of
your time to do it. Often, the smallest acts of kindness and
consideration can have a big impact on those around us.
So, how can we give at work?
1. Just Listen
A
great way of giving is simply to listen to others. When you do this,
listen without contributing your opinion, and without trying to "top
their story." Use Active Listening skills, so that you can fully grasp what they're telling you, and respond with empathy and understanding.
2. Offer Specific Help
How
many times have you heard a colleague say, "Let me know if you need any
help!" but had the distinct feeling they didn't really mean it? Vague
offers of help can come across as half-hearted or insincere. Offering
help in a specific way shows that you mean it.
For
instance, your colleagues may be complaining about their workload. So,
offer specific help: volunteer to collect their lunch for them, so that
they can continue working, or give them a hand with a task if your own
workload allows. When you offer specific assistance, you let others know
that you're truly willing to help.
3. Show Gratitude
If you're in a leadership position, how often do you give praise to your team? How often do you say "thank you" to your assistant for the good work he or she does every day?
Showing
gratitude to those around us, whether above or below us in the
hierarchy, is a simple but powerful way to give. So, find ways to say "thank you" to your team and colleagues. You might be surprised at the difference that this makes to your relationships!
When
you mentor others, you can share a lifetime's worth of knowledge and
skill in order to help them succeed. This unselfish act not only
benefits the professionals you work with; it can change your own life in
many ways.
It
probably goes without saying that your organization will benefit when
strong mentoring relationships are formed within it. Start mentoring in the workplace now, and experience the satisfaction that comes with helping others to succeed.
5. Share Resources
If
your team or department has ample resources or supplies, why not offer
to share them with another team or department, particularly if it is not
as well funded as yours?
This
could include sharing resources such as physical supplies, but also
knowledge, technology, and team member expertise as well. (This won't be
viable in some situations. Use your own best judgment here, and make
sure that you're doing your own job properly as well!)
6. Offer a Hand to New Employees
Can
you remember what it was like on your very first day at the
organization? You didn't know anyone, and you probably felt overwhelmed
by all of your tasks and responsibilities.
When a new employee joins your organization or team, spend time with her during her first few weeks and help her have a successful induction.
Offer to help her get used to her new role, and take her around to meet
everyone that she'll be working with. Share your knowledge about the
organization's culture and values.
This can make a challenging transition smoother and less stressful.
7. Practice "Random Acts of Kindness"
Random
acts of kindness can transform both you and the person you help. When
you are kind to someone anonymously, you give for the simple, ego-less
pleasure of giving, and that's it. So, practice random acts of kindness
when you're at work.
What
can you do? Leave a cup of gourmet coffee on your colleague's desk when
he or she is having a bad day. Send an anonymous "thank you" letter to
your organization's cleaning staff. Bring some healthy snacks or
homemade cookies to work, and leave them anonymously in the break room,
with a note letting others know that they're for everyone.
There are endless ways that you can make a positive impact on someone else's day. Just use your imagination!
8. Find Your Purpose
Every
job has a purpose. It's easy, especially when we're busy and stressed,
to forget how our role helps others. But, no matter what we do or where
we do it, ultimately our work should benefit someone else.
Take time to find your purpose at work. Once you dig down to find the ultimate meaning of what you do, you may be surprised by how much your work helps others.
"There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up." — John Holmes, military veteran and author
Note:
Although
it's important to give your time and energy to others, it's equally
important not to go too far! If you spend too much time helping your
coworkers, you may find that you don't have time to accomplish your own
objectives. It's important to find the right balance between helping
others, and focusing on your own goals and tasks.
Key Points
Giving
our time and energy to others not only feels good, but it's been proven
to make us happier, more productive, and more engaged with our team and
organization.
Giving
also offers positive physical benefits as well: it helps alleviate
stress, helps lower our risk of illnesses like depression, and even
helps us live longer!
You can give back to others by doing any or all of the following:
1. Just listen to others.
2. Offer specific help.
3. Show gratitude.
4. Become a mentor.
5. Share resources.
6. Offer a hand to new employees.
7. Practice random acts of kindness.
8. Find your purpose.
Make an effort to give regularly – you'll love the results.
To your greater success and fulfillment,
Peter Mclees, Leadership Coach, Trainer and Performance Consultant
SMART DEVELOPMENT
Take the Next Step...
Interested
in learning how to develop your organization's leadership capability,
culture, and employee engagement? We begin with a collaborative
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contact: Email: petercmclees@gmail.com or Mobile: 323-854-1713
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