How to create kindness in your career

I had plans for World Kindness Day. For those newer to the concept, it is marked on the 13th of November, created in 1998 and slowly spread around the world. It exists to highlight the importance of empathy, understanding and cooperation. I was due to do a live and share some on-theme social media posts. Instead, I spent the day in an A&E department (supporting a family member), observing the main aims of World Kindness Day first hand. When the dust had settled on that day, and my thoughts turned back to work, I wanted to share more about the ongoing ideas of kindness and compassion that are shared not only on that day but by other supporters, (such as the wonderful RAOK movement) Today I want to talk about creating kindness in your career. 

 

You may find that another word comes to mind when considering kindness; it does for me. And that word is compassion. Before I carry on with my thoughts, I wanted to reflect on what these two mean, and how you can take some steps to bring these into your life (and to support your career)

 

Having spent some time pursuing this question online, I feel they two can be defined as:

 

• Kindness is things you do. 
• Compassion is things you feel.

 

Why is kindness important?

 

It’s not just nice, it’s good for you, and other people. Research has found that people who are kind and compassionate feel benefits to their wellbeing.  It reduces stress, reduces feelings of isolation, connects new, positive communities, and even helps you be more productive at work.

 

So, with all that in mind, how can you start to be more compassionate and kinder to yourself? And how can this help with your career?

 

Reframing your perspective

This may be something you are thinking about yourself, your business, your job, colleagues, or contacts. This is especially relevant if you find that these feelings are impacting your capability to listen and consider other perspectives, or developing beliefs in yourself that aren’t kind or considered. Tapping into your understanding of cognitive biases (thinking that isn’t always true or relevant) and your internal “chatter” can help.

Some previous articles and books you may find useful include this around self-belief and a new perspective. 

 

 

Give yourself a break.

Kindness is often shown to others through supporting them with tasks that give them space to look after themselves; from picking up a project to sharing the emotional load. However, how often do you give yourself a break? This self-compassion could look like blocking time out of a diary for something that refills your cup, taking that sick day when you would usually clock in or having an important conversation about work-life balance. From the easily managed to the one that needs to be organised, this self-compassion can allow you the opportunity to recharge, and to re-build your resilience. 

Have you read my review of The Resilience Club? Maybe it’s time to now. 

 

Take time for connection.

Can you remember the last time you spent time will people face to face? Or had a virtual coffee with someone that metaphorically fills your cup? It can be easy in a world of remote working to lose the sense of connection with others, which may lead you to lose the connection with yourself. The less time we are around those who support, lift us and encourage us, the more it can impact how we feel about ourselves and others. Then begins an uncomfortable loop of social withdrawal, and even can go to the point of suspicion about others! Having the self-compassion to remember that people are important and taking the time to connect with others; this could be different departments, sector networks or interest groups when it is work, and societies, community, or social groups outside of work, remind us that we are, in fact, social beings that need connection!

You may find Humankind and Together interesting to read why this is so essential! 

 

Compassion rather than correction

Are you kind when others make mistakes? Do you consider they are doing their very best? Do you even reach out and help when someone may be struggling at work? Now, these actions of kindness that you give to others, do you honour yourself in the same way? I can imagine I know the answer. Forgiveness is probably one of the strongest actions of kindness – but it is a level of compassion that we don’t always offer to ourselves. So, the next time you make a mistake, I want to encourage you to take the time to treat yourself the same way you would treat another person. Would you contextual the mistake? Reassure them? Offer gentle assistance to make it right. So, how would it feel to do the same to yourself?

Two great blogs on this very subject are “how to quieten your inner critic “and “how to stop feeling guilty.“

 

Being mindful of the way to speak about yourself, and to yourself, is the ultimate kind action. It can help reduce stress at work, make it easier to ask for support when you need and, hopefully, make your career that much more enjoyable. Whilst it cannot fix all issues, it will hopefully give you the emotional resilience and voice for when you need to take necessary steps for yourself and those around you. I can’t fix everything in the world, but I can start to take steps to help you find your career voice! 

 

What do you think? How are you beginning to bring self-compassion into your world and career? Come over to Creating Careers to Enjoy and share!