We’ve all known that boss or co-worker who just doesn’t have a clue how to be a nice person. They plow through their professional lives with little concern for others’ feelings, leaving unhappiness in their wake.
At least one researcher has also found that being a jerk at work can adversely affect the productivity of your co-workers or subordinates; test subjects did 33 percent worse on word puzzles and were 39 percent less creative when belittled by the experimenter before the test.
While most of us are good people and few professionals reach Bill Lumbergh levels of jerkdom, everyone can benefit from a little self-improvement in the workplace. Taking steps to become a better person at work benefits your co-workers, your company and your career. As you start 2016, consider these simple ways you can become a better person at work:
Treat everyone with dignity.
The Golden Rule is “golden” because it spells out so simply how we should behave: do unto others as you would have them do unto you. In the workplace, it’s especially important to treat others with the dignity you desire for yourself. Do this by honoring the innate qualities we all possess: spirituality, socialness, material needs, freedom, creativity, sensitivity and equality. For example, if you’re a manager whose subordinate fails at a goal, instead of criticism, provide guidance, extra training and second chances.
Nurture hope in yourself and others.
Hope is an essential ingredient of the human condition. Without it, there is no motivation. You don’t have to be a Pollyana in order to express optimism and nurture hope; you may simply need to hold your tongue. Refrain from undue worry and expressing it out loud. Avoid dire predictions for the future, and don’t discount the ideas of others offhand. Actively work to motivate co-workers and subordinates by helping them focus on possibilities and opportunities.
Be generously thrifty.
You may think the concepts of thrift and generosity are mutually exclusive, but they’re not. Thrift is simply about spending wisely and conserving when possible. That wise approach to life tells co-workers and supervisors that you care about your company’s prosperity. Generosity is also appropriate in the workplace, and expressing it can be as simple as a kind word to a co-worker who’s having a rough day or bringing in a tray of homemade brownies for no reason at all.
Practice gratitude.
Gratitude is intrinsic to happiness; if you don’t feel grateful for what you have, how can you appreciate it? Focus on all that you have — a job, co-workers who respect you, a family that loves you, business associates who contribute to your prosperity. If it helps, make a list of all you have to be thankful for, and remember to say “thank you” whenever appropriate.
Focus on your goals.
Aimless drifting isn’t good for anyone, personally or professionally. At GetFive, we talk a lot about the importance of career goals. These objectives not only help guide your professional life, they can nurture your spiritual well-being, too; when you accomplish a goal, you’ll feel a sense of pride and achievement.
Deciding to be a better person can make you feel happier and more validated at work. Others will also take notice of the changes you see in yourself — and respond positively in the workplace.
