Workplace Culture

Celebrating ‘World Kindness Day’ at Work #WorldKindnessDay #ChooseKindness

Offer constructive help instead of destructive criticism. Leave an anonymous note of encouragement for someone in need of a boost. Just be decent and human. 

by Jon HymanNovember 13, 2019

Today is World Kindness Day.

Introduced in 1998 by the World Kindness Movement, it highlights good deeds in the community by focusing on the positiveness of our common bond of kindness.

It is a day worth celebrating, and one that we sorely need and is sadly necessary. Earlier this year I pledged to choose kindness.

I fear that our society is reaching the end of civility. And the incivility emanating from 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. does not help. Behavior models start at the top, and we all have a terrible role model right now.


My same fear holds true for the workplace. If an organization is run by intimidation, scare tactics, harassment, and discrimination, then it should come as no surprise when managers and supervisors think they need to motivate their teams by yelling, harassing, sniping, and snubbing. It should also come as no surprise when employees respond by treating each other similarly. We can all do better. We all should do better. We all must do better.

What can we do to celebrate World Kindness Day at work? Small gestures go a long way.
Send a co-worker an encouraging email. Sit with someone new at lunch. Ask someone how they are doing. Offer constructive help instead of destructive criticism. Leave an anonymous note of encouragement for someone in need of a boost. Just be decent and human.

Today, in honor of World Kindness Day, I reiterate my pledge and promise to everyone.

I choose kindness.
I choose civility.
I choose humanity.
If you agree, share this post on your social network of choice with the hashtag #ChooseKindness. Everyone can do better, and should do their part, in making our society a kinder one in which to live and work. On this issue, if you’re not part of the solution, you are the problem. Don’t be the problem.

Jon Hyman is a partner at Meyers, Roman, Friedberg & Lewis in Cleveland. Comment below or email editors@workforce.com.


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