Does it Pay to Be Polite? Kindness Goes a Long Way
It doesn’t take much effort to say “thank you” or to hold the door open for the next person. It’s not usually that time-consuming to go “the extra mile” for a colleague. But do you think it pays off for leaders to remember and practice the habit of kindness? The short answer YES!
Acts of Kindness in the Workplace
Leaders lead people through the good and the bad in the workplace. Unfortunately, we cannot always guarantee a favorable impact on our employees. Global environments, political controversies, and labor issues can inadvertently affect their lives. So how do we lead when things are tough?
How do we maintain an environment where people want to stand by us, even when their lives are uncomfortable?
I recommend the basics: begin with behaving kindly. Not occasionally when you want something from someone, but as a habit; be consistent. Common kindness and respect for others was a social norm in previous generations. It was expected. In today’s work environment, it’s easy to slip into such a casual inner demeanor that we forget to notice, acknowledge and respect the goodness and humanness of others. It’s a practice.
Acts of kindness make a world of difference in someone’s day, and certainly no less in the workplace.
How Leaders Practice Kindness
We begin with simple consistency. Our lifestyle practice is a polite attitude and posture toward others. Avoid acting or speaking in a condescending (whether intentional or not) tone. A person’s pay rate or job title does not determine the employee’s worth. Each member of your workplace community has value as a human being. When you demonstrate that attitude as a leader, you will do more to impact the overall civility in your organization than any policy manual can ever accomplish.
When the boss is moody, volatile, or downright rude, that attitude is a catalyst for a myriad of other issues.
Don’t Be So Sensitive!
You might think it’s a waste of time to tap dance around the sensitivities of your team. After all, it’s their job to get the work done. And of course, there are cases where everyone, or just that one employee, needs to buck up to the pressure and push through to successful completion. As some employers have said to me, “we are not here to babysit adults at work.” And, of course, you are right. But being right might not be your best solution!
As a leader, you are far more likely to accomplish company goals and objectives using more than fear and intimidation or rudely barking orders as you walk by. You will get action and a temporary production – but at what cost? Polite behavior and communication will accomplish the task much quicker (and easier) as you inspire people to bring their best selves to the functions and problems experienced at work.
Leaders Influence Outcomes
A polite leader matters – because they influence the outcome of mass behavior. Therefore, how the leader behaves will be present and traceable within the entire team.
If you are a leader who cares, your team will likely adopt a similar attitude.
Being friendly and a little generous with your time establishes the caring attitude you want to have instilled in your team.
I am advocating that people care about and tend to the well-being of each other, their teams, their shared work goals, their customers, and the bottom line.
A simple “Hello, Nancy, how are you today? How was your weekend?” can go a long way in promoting the reciprocal friendly, caring attitude that will spill into other areas of the work environment. Bonus points if you stop and listen carefully, even asking a follow-up question or two. The time invested: 3-5 minutes.
What Nancy will do for you in a pinch may take her hours!
Politeness Influences an Organization’s Culture
Fueled by courteous behavior a work environment can become a positive and inspiring aspect of a person’s life experience. Conversely, an anxious workplace with rude leaders who communicate poorly will suffer the consequence of the employees’ lack of personal well-being. That is a critical issue that eventually affects the shared goals and bottom line of any organization.
Some Thoughts Worth Your Consideration!
- Without respectful communication from their leaders, people stop sharing, and people become less effective listeners!
- Anxiety increases with rudeness and disrespect, and with that stress comes less efficiency and effectiveness.
- Polite leaders are highly regarded and therefore trusted. Without trust, the workplace is a breeding ground for disruption and conflict.
- Morale naturally occurs when all people involved sense their contribution has merit. Leaders communicate that through their words and deeds. Treat people with dignity, respect, civility, and empathy. Model your best self.
- Make people feel great, and you will likely receive great things from them!
- People mimic the leader’s behavior. Eventually, they begin to treat you and others on their team as an adapted behavior.
- Polite behavior is more than remembering to say please and thank you; it includes giving people credit and acknowledging their accomplishments.
- Remember to be kind to yourself as well! You may disappoint yourself from time to time and behave in ways for which you are not proud. From your self-awareness to forgiveness and demonstrating the appropriate follow-up, how you handle those moments becomes the building blocks for a better, more effective, and happier workplace.
