Written by Molly Schreiber, Founder + CEO, Challenge to Change, Inc.
The C2C Team
"Make the world around you a better place than you found it."
This statement is the foundation of everything we do and are at Challenge to Change, Inc. We have used this phrase with the students, educators, and employees we've served since our inception. As C2C has grown into a corporation, we have expanded our educational reach to adults, including the Changemakers we employ.
We have found the need to create a culture of kindness, truthfulness, and connection within our work community and make the world around us better than we found it. These three virtues have formed the pillars of our corporate kindness mentality.
Does this create more work for our leadership team? Of course! However, the payoffs of following the three pillars of Corporate Kindness and supporting our staff to a happier, healthier life. And who does not want a life they love to live?
In this post, I'm going to share how Corporate Kindness improves workplace culture, morale, and productivity. Then, I'm going to share my signature 3 Pillars of Corporate Kindness.
How Kindness Boosts Productivity, Morale, and Well-Being
Research has shown that fostering a culture of kindness in the workplace can lead to numerous benefits, including improved morale, increased productivity, and higher employee retention rates. Investing in acts of kindness and promoting a supportive work environment can contribute to the overall success of the organization.
Boosts Morale: Acts of kindness, whether they are simple gestures like expressing gratitude or offering assistance, create a positive atmosphere in the workplace. When employees feel appreciated and supported by their colleagues and superiors, it can lead to higher job satisfaction and morale.
Increases Productivity: Studies have shown that happy employees are more productive. When employees feel positive emotions such as kindness and appreciation, they are more motivated to perform at their best. Additionally, a supportive work environment can help remove barriers to productivity, such as conflicts or stress.
Reduces Stress: Acts of kindness, such as offering help during busy times or providing emotional support, can help alleviate stress in the workplace. When employees feel supported by their colleagues and managers, they are better equipped to handle the demands of their jobs without feeling overwhelmed.
Improves Communication: Kindness promotes open and effective communication among team members. When there is a culture of kindness in the workplace, employees are more likely to feel comfortable expressing their ideas, concerns, and feedback, leading to better collaboration and problem-solving.
Enhances Loyalty and Retention: A kind and supportive work environment fosters loyalty among employees. When employees feel valued and appreciated, they are more likely to remain with the organization long-term, reducing turnover rates and associated costs.
Pillar #1: Truthfulness
At C2C, we teach social-emotional learning, which is all about knowing yourself more deeply. This learning begins with knowing the truth of who we are and what core values make us the beautiful human we are. We all have a responsibility to know our truth. We have to do the hard work to understand the truth of our core being. Or, as I like to say, get a Ph.D. in knowing ourselves.
When we know these truths about ourselves, we can make better choices for ourselves and with the ones who surround us. When we make better choices for ourselves, we can then freely give our time and talent without resentment or regret. When we know our core beliefs and values, we understand why we get upset by situations and individuals better. It is often because our deep truths are rocked or challenged.
At Challenge To Change, Inc., we not only come to understand our truths but create them into a mission statement called a Noble Goal. Each Changemaker is asked to create their truth through forming a Noble Goal. This Noble Goal will guide them in living their personal and professional truth within our mission.
Then we are called to practice truthfulness with each other within the organization.
As a C2C Changemaker, here are some of the ways we practice truthfulness:
Reflective listening and repeating back only what you hear
Overcommunicate and ask for clarification
Do not promise anything you cannot provide
When giving hard feedback, pair it with a compliment
Pillar #2: Connection
Connection is key in our programming at C2C. Community is at the core of our beliefs. We believe, at C2C, that we need to be connected to ourselves first, our community second and then we can best deliver our mindful education to the public. We believe when we are connected as a community, we are then best able to provide the services and lead by example.
When we are clear about what our truth is, we are better able to see the vision we set and live more aligned with our personal truth. This allows employees to truly connect with others versus feeling threatened and unsafe in the work environment.
When we live our truth with connection, we are better able to have hard conversations with one another. We can be vulnerable with the situation presented and others involved. We are better able to notice our actions and reactions as well as the effect they have on other individuals we work with.
As a C2C Changemaker, practicing connection means doing so to yourself first before entering into the meeting. Using the tools you teach at C2C, practice them before entering into a meeting. If you feel the need, ask another Changemaker leader to attend the meeting with you. If you feel safe, end the meeting with a positive connection. That could be a summary, a hug or a laugh.
Pillar #3: Kindness
At C2C, we believe in being honest with who we are and honoring our social-emotional makeup. We don’t try to change our feelings and emotions but navigate them. As we do this, we have a better understanding of where others are coming from. This allows us to act with empathy and compassion- two essential elements of kindness. It is essential to be clear in the hard discussions, but just as important to be kind. Kindness used to be a priority in all relationships, but has slowly grown away from it.
Often, within organizations, gossip becomes a crack in the foundation of what is intended for the community. Offering staff the open lines of communication within Corporate Kindness, makes all individuals feel seen and heard.
One of our favorite practices at C2C is being Kindness Ninjas by sending out Changemaker Grams. Changemaker Grams are handwritten notes to colleagues we see living out their truth and shining in their work at C2C. If you've received a Changemaker Gram from one of us, it's a sign that you have been seen and valued.
It always feels good to get a Changemaker Gram in the mail!
As a C2C Changemaker, practicing kindness with peers means:
Smiling
Holding space when others need support
Using open body language
Watching your tone of voice and
Practicing quality check-ins with peers
Sending “Changemaker Grams"
How the Pillars of Corporate Kindness Work Together
All three of these pillars enable us to have open discussions as an organization, clear communication between team members, and support for all employees. We value taking time to pause to reflect on our core beliefs and values, and then communicate it effectively with the right people.
If you have more questions about Corporate Kindness and our philosophy at C2C, we would love to talk with you. We also offer training for workplace environments and digital toolkits to help the organization implement the Corporate Kindness approach. Please reach out to us at molly@challengetochangeinc.com for more info.
Peace,
Molly
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