Finding our Way Back to Kindness

Scrolling through Facebook the other night, I saw a friend’s post proclaiming “love wins.” I can’t argue with that, but where I drew exception was the tone of the rest of the post which was much more scolding than conciliatory. I’m sure you see this all the time, too. Good people posting messages that are passive- aggressive and bolster their point of view while putting down someone else’s. Not nice.

It seems like no coincidence that in the last few months we are getting more and more requests for programming around workplace civility and improving bad behavior exhibited by employees. I can’t begin to guess the underlying cause, but it seems that the way we relate to others has taken a hit since the pandemic and with the continued rise in social media. It’s not just healthcare. There seems to be an attitude of workers everywhere of frustration with each other and with the job.

A Better Way in the Workplace

If I had to put numbers on it, I’d say the ratio of good to bad employee behavior still highly favors the good, but it is concerning. The other day someone said to me that bad behavior should be expected because healthcare is stressful and of course you are crabby with each other at the end of the long day. Maybe; but I’m think there is a better way.

In our fast-paced, competitive, and stressful work environment, I think civility is more important than ever. When we talk about civility, we are talking about a set of behaviors that show respect, kindness, and consideration for others, regardless of their position or background. It is the cornerstone of a healthy and positive work culture, and it fosters collaboration, creativity, and productivity.

On the other hand, workplace incivility can have serious consequences for both employees and the organization. It can lead to decreased morale, increased stress and anxiety, reduced productivity, and even legal issues. When employees feel disrespected, unappreciated, or undervalued, they are less likely to engage in their work, collaborate with others, or offer innovative solutions. Moreover, workplace incivility can lead to high turnover rates, which can be costly for organizations.

Doing What You Can

That last statement alone should be reason enough to take workplace civility seriously! While there is no magic cure, here are some things you can do to increase civility and improve behavior:

• Lead by example: As a leader, it's essential to model civility in your own behavior. This means treating everyone with respect and kindness, listening to their ideas and concerns, and avoiding gossip or negative talk.
• Set clear expectations: Make sure that all employees understand the organization's policies and expectations regarding civility. This can include providing training, setting up a code of conduct, and addressing any incidents of incivility promptly.
•  Encourage open communication: Foster an environment where employees feel comfortable sharing their opinions and ideas without fear of reprisal. This can include setting up regular feedback sessions, creating an anonymous reporting system for incidents of incivility, and actively listening to employee concerns.
• Reward and recognize civility: Celebrate acts of civility by acknowledging them publicly, providing rewards or incentives, and making civility a core value of the organization.
• Address incidents of incivility: When incidents of incivility occur, it's essential to address them promptly and appropriately. This can include conducting an investigation, providing support to the affected employee(s), and taking appropriate disciplinary action.

This spring ICAHN will be developing education programming that should offer additional support for you and your employees to help foster an environment that promotes respect, kindness, and consideration for others, leading to increased employee engagement, creativity, and productivity. If you have specific areas that you need help with, please let us know. Watch for more information in the coming weeks.

Improving workplace civility is essential for creating a healthy and positive work culture. So let's hear it for kindness, respect, and love winning! That’s how I see it from where I sit.