10 Simple to do

Acts of Kindness @ Work

1) PRIME YOURSELF FOR KINDNESS (LKM)

The Dhammapada says, “Hatred cannot coexist with love and kindness. It dissipates when

supplanted with thoughts of love and compassion.”

Start the day with Loving and Kindness Meditation (LKM).

Studies in neuroimaging have shown that LKM and compassion meditation regulate the

functioning of the limbic system, which is in charge of processing emotions and empathy.

Consistent practice of a few minutes a day will make you feel more calm and peaceful amid

the intensity of events.

2) ACKNOWLEDGE PEOPLE

Greet others and smile. People have an innate need to be seen, confirmed and affirmed. By acknowledging them,

you give them a dose of significance which activates in both of you the happy hormones cocktail of oxytocin,

dopamine and serotonin.

Do not be disheartened by those who will not reciprocate, enjoy the positive vibes from those who will. You are

creating a ripple effect.

3) APPRECIATE

Take 3 coins. Every time you catch someone doing the right thing, you praise them, and move one coin from your left

pocket to the right one. Let them know what was their impact. Alternatively, use 3 hairbands and move them from

one hand to the other.

Research in positive psychology confirms that showing gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater

happiness. Both the giver and the receiver of appreciation feel positive emotions, warmth and greater trust.

A recent Gallup Poll found that 65% of American workers felt unappreciated and undervalued, causing

disengagement and loss of talent.

4) LISTEN, BE PRESENT, BE CURIOUS

When you lend a listening ear, others feel heard. When you are present (not on your electronic devices) and interested, you

make them feel respected, understood and cared for.

When you are curious about others, you are not judgmental. You are giving yourself the opportunity to really understand

them. Curiosity will protect you from jumping to the wrong conclusion by giving the benefit of the doubt.

People will open up to you, trust you more, you will be more likable. You will learn new things and be able to handle

conflicts much better.

5) MENTOR & COACH

There is hardly any successful leader that did not experience the gift of being coached and

mentored. Most of them continue to pay it forward. As a leader you become more successful when

your team members are more successful. Kindness is to nurture, encourage and guide them. To help

them grow, adapt and evolve to stretch their capabilities and reach their potential.

6) REVERSE GOSSIP

Say good things about people behind their back. Praise your team members in front of your peers and managers.

Take the time to write a warm recommendation to someone deserving your praise on her/his LinkedIn profile. It is a

powerful act of kindness, supporting others to boost their confidence and become more trustworthy.

7) BE A SUPERHERO

"Risk your life" and put your hand out to hold the door of an elevator to let others get in first. The lift

will not leave without you and you will not lose a second. People will squeeze and leave the biggest

space for you, smile at your chivalry and beam their positive feelings towards you.

Be the hero who gives them the opportunity to shine. Prepare them well to present in front of your

boss and peers. Give them the chances to step up and be recognized. When you need to fight for

their promotion, you have more reasons to succeed because you set them up for success.

8) TAME YOUR MR. BEAN & HUMOR

We all have the self-centered baby-need to satisfy our wants first and throw a tantrum when we don't get

our way just like the impenitent and revengeful Mr. Bean. Kindness tames the urge to react. It helps you to pause,

to let go of the ego and respond with grace.

It only takes a moment to give way while driving. It only takes a decision to reframe a car horn as if "people think

that you're sexy" and send an apology gesture rather than fight back. Instead of scolding a person who stepped

on your foot, use humor. Show your other foot and say: "Can you please step on this foot to balance it?" You'll be

rewarded with a smile and friendship.

9) VOLUNTEER TOGETHER

Giving together for a good cause allows you to practice your kindness and bond with your team. Let

your team members have a say about what types of giving is meaningful to them. Explore with them

a plan to help them with time and resources to be engaged in CSR initiatives. Do it as a team. You

will give your team a great opportunity to bond while doing good.

10) BE KIND TO YOURSELF

It is a struggle to be kind to others if you are unkind to yourself.

Everyone has a "Chief Criticizing Officer" in their mind that behaves like the "Fifth Column." To grab attention, it

stages a coup so it can be in charge by spreading unsolicited criticism that diminishes us, deflates our self esteem

and makes us feel inadequate. It incessantly broadcasts self-blame and shame that bring us down by feeding our

fears and worries.

Kindness to self is about stopping this high jacking and its emotional abuse by setting boundaries to your inner-

terrorist. Take back the steering wheel of your life. Discipline that voice to speak only constructive feedback with

objectivity, respect, and grace.

BY AVI LIRAN
www.aviliran.com www.deliveringdelight.com