environment of kindness and compassion that is lived out
in daily actions, we see a happier workplace and
improved productivity. Jonathan haidt, a researcher at
new york university, discovered that watching a co-
worker help another co-worker heightens one’s own
sense of well-being and makes one more likely to behave
with kindness towards others. Essentially, kindness
begets kindness, and it can spread like wildfire. can you
imagine the possibilities of such a workplace culture?
Employees would not only help each other out, but they
would also provide better customer service on their own
accord, without prompting, which in turn helps the
bottom line. Kindness isn’t just about giving things: it can
also be about showing genuine interest in people. for
instance, don’t just ask, “how are you doing today?” and
then keep on walking. Stop, and listen for the answer.
ask from a place of caring, “how can i help you today?”
Try to envision things from that person’s perspective.
Look for ways to offer up generosity and then do it. Don’t
postpone acts of kindness until things slow down or are
less chaotic. There is never a better time than now. i
suggest starting small, even if it is just with a smile.
AMPLIFY STRENGTHS
in his book, Standout, marcus Buckingham states that
“sustained success comes only when you take what’s
unique about you and figure out how to make it useful.”
Do you know what makes your associates unique? What
are their strengths, and how are they utilizing those in
their role? remember strengths are not just what we are
competent at; they are things that utilize a natural talent
or gift and when we use them energize us. as leaders we
“as leaders,
we often make
assumptions, but
assumptions
don’t help us
create a culture
of engagement.”
58
PULSE
n
march 2019
need to amplify our people’s strengths, not try to make
them like everyone else. you might be able to replicate
processes or procedures, but your people are unique
masterpieces which means you need help them flourish
in their own unique way. Stop trying to create cookie-
cutter connections and get to know what shapes your
associates. What are their strengths, and what are their
shadow sides—i.e. when their strengths are taken to the
extreme?
ADVANCE PEOPLE’S DREAMS
The most engaged employees don’t work because they only
love their company or their spa manager—they do it to
advance a personal goal or dream. far too often we just
see associates as a means to productivity and profitability,
but the real returns are to be had when we remember that
It may seem strange, even impractical to help employees chase their dreams,
but remember that RARE leaders don’t do the common thing.