Activity 2: The Business of Kindness: creating work environments where people thrive

The Business of Kindness: creating work environments where people thrive

An Introduction to the Business of Kindness

Planting the seeds of kindness in business is a proactive approach that aims to enhance the health and growth of the people within our organizations. We need to find unique ways to counteract the increasing and often subtle forms of stress, disengagement and even potential violence. As we all know, these issues can lead us down a pathway to poor relationships and eventually has the potential of creating a toxic work environment.

During Canadas Healthy Workplace Week, try to provide support for a kinder workplace in all or one of these three key themes. There is one activity provided (in PDF) for each the themes.

Kindness to Oneself: Nurturing the Human Spirit
Kindness to Colleagues: Creating a Circle of Friends
Kindness in the Community: Sustaining Our Capacity to Thrive

Kindness to Oneself: Nurturing the Human Spirit

This theme includes self-care, resilience and nurturing of ones inner spirit. By beginning with self-worth and building a strong foundation, one is then capable of expressing kindness to others. The journey begins with self.

The four Character Building Traits to support kindness to oneself are:

Authenticity: honor who you are
Attitude: exercise your power to choose
Resilience: develop strong roots to weather change
Excellence: commit to grow your potential

Click here for the activity on Excellence [PDF].

Kindness to Colleagues: Creating a Circle of Friends

This theme focuses on treating others with mutual care and respect. It fosters teamwork and looking out for one another through establishing friendships in the workplace. We then can invite others into our circle of positive influence.

The four Character Building Traits to support kindness to colleagues are:

Trust: Practise honesty with consideration
Compassion: show you care with unconditional acceptance
Courage: step through fear to do what is right
Friendship: welcome others into your circle

Click here for the activity on Compassion [PDF].

Kindness in the Community: Sustaining Our Capacity to Thrive

This theme looks at making a difference locally and globally through community service. It encourages people to expand their kindness efforts beyond their immediate life and work by giving freely of themselves for others. In giving we receive back.

The four Character Building Traits to support kindness to the community are: