What good things have happened to you so far this week?
Today we start with a moment of mindfulness. Followed by answering the question, "How do you know who is kind at work?" And finish by considering why you should be grateful for lemon water.
DALL·E Prompt: A high-quality photo of a glass of hot water with pieces of lemon in it. There is steam coming from the glass. Glass is sitting on a kitchen surface. There is a window in the background.
I’m in a reflective mood this week.
Asked by a reader about how to recognise other kind people at work, I got to thinking about the kind experiences I’ve had, as well as what kind people say and do, as finishing up by thinking about what I do most mornings to start my day kind.
It’s all here. So, let’s get to it.
What good things have happened to you so far this week?
Take a moment. Relax your body. Take a few deep breaths. Let the tension go.
And reflect on the week so far, bringing to mind any positive experiences or moments that stand out to you. These could be small things, such as a kind gesture from a friend or a delicious meal, or bigger accomplishments or milestones.
In a second or two, stop reading and fully immerse yourself in one of these experiences. Visualise the details: remember where you were, who was with you, and what was going on in that moment. Recall any sounds, smells, or sensations associated with this experience. And feel again any positive emotions that come with it, such as joy, gratitude, or contentment. Take a few deep breaths as you continue to focus on these positive experiences. Allow yourself to fully embrace the feelings of happiness and contentment that come with them.
Do it now. I'll wait.
So, back.
Take a few deep breaths now and, gently releasing this positive experience, return fully to the present moment. Take a few more deep breaths, and notice how your body and mind feel after this exercise.
What do you feel?
Happier and more content than when you started this email?
I hope so.
Welcome back to #WorkKind with Magnus.
Where intention goes, energy and action flows. My intention with this moment of mindfulness was to leave you smiling, with some extra calmness and energy, as well as fully in the present moment as you read this and think about kindness at work.
I hope that's where you are.
So, now let's dive in and give you some ways to answer this question:
How do you know who is kind at work?
What Kind People Say and Do at Work
Courageous, curious, and caring. They want the best for all. You'll be one of these kind people, I'm sure, as will the people you work best with.
But how do you know who is kind? It’s a question I get asked a lot. In fact, this was the question a reader asked me last week:
“How do I know if somebody is kind? Especially if I don’t know them yet. What signals should I look out for in someone who places a high value on kindness?”
Thank you for this wonderful question. It got me thinking about the things kind people talk about and how they talk about them.
You’ll Hear Kind People Talk This Way…
If you're trying to identify someone who places a high value on kindness, especially in the workplace, there are a number of signals you can look out for in their words and expressions. Here are a few examples:
“Thank you.”
Kind individuals tend to appreciate when others go out of their way to do something kind for them or their team. They may use language that acknowledges and reinforces those behaviours.
“I'm here for you.”
Kind people are often empathetic and may offer emotional support or a listening ear to colleagues who are going through a tough time. They may use language that conveys their willingness to be there for others in times of need.
“You're doing a great job.”
People who value kindness tend to be positive and encouraging and may use language that reinforces good work and boosts morale.
“Is there anything you need from me?”
Kind individuals tend to be helpful and may offer assistance or resources to their colleagues. They may use language that invites others to ask for help when needed.
“I trust your judgement.”
Individuals who prioritise kindness may be respectful of their colleagues' expertise and autonomy and may use language that reinforces that respect and trust.
“I'm open to feedback.”
Kind people tend to be humble and receptive to others' ideas and perspectives. They may use language that acknowledges their own fallibility and invites constructive criticism.
Overall, people who value kindness tend to use language that is positive, supportive, and reflects empathy, compassion, and a desire to build positive relationships with others. They will also be mindful of their tone of voice and nonverbal cues, such as smiling or making eye contact, to reinforce their kindness and empathy.
What Kind People Talk About at Work
People who place a high value on kindness in the workplace often prioritise building positive relationships with their colleagues, fostering a sense of community, and creating a supportive work environment. As a result, their conversations may frequently touch on the following themes:
Empathy
Kind individuals often prioritise understanding and respecting the perspectives and experiences of others. They may engage in conversations that seek to understand the challenges or concerns that their colleagues are facing, and they may offer emotional support or encouragement.
Respect
People who prioritise kindness often seek to build positive relationships with their colleagues, and they may prioritise demonstrating respect and understanding. They may seek to learn more about their colleagues' backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, and they may engage in open and honest dialogue that promotes mutual respect.
Gratitude
People who value kindness may frequently express appreciation and gratitude for the contributions of their colleagues. They may acknowledge good work, celebrate achievements, and express thanks for the support and assistance of others.
Collaboration
Kind individuals often enjoy working in a team environment and value collaboration. Their conversations may frequently touch on how they can work together effectively, share ideas, and support each other in achieving shared goals.
Support
Kind individuals often prioritise creating a supportive work environment. They may offer advice, resources, or assistance; or they may simply lend an ear to listen and offer emotional support.
Personal growth
People who place a high value on kindness may prioritise personal growth and development, both for themselves and for their colleagues. Their conversations may touch on ways to improve their own skills and performance as well as ways to support the growth and development of their colleagues.
Hopefully you’ll see yourself and others in these themes. Let’s now look at some of their consistent kind behaviours.
How Kind People Behave at Work
People who value kindness consistently behave in ways intended to make everyone and everything better. Here are some behaviours to look out for:
Active listening
Kind individuals often make an effort to actively listen to their colleagues and understand their perspectives. They may maintain eye contact, ask thoughtful questions, and show interest in what others have to say.
Helping others
People who value kindness often go out of their way to help their colleagues. They may offer assistance, share their expertise, or provide support when someone is struggling.
Celebrating successes
Kind individuals often take the time to celebrate the successes of their colleagues. They may offer congratulations, express appreciation, or acknowledge good work in public forums.
Being respectful
Individuals who prioritise kindness often treat their colleagues with respect and understanding. They’re likely to give others the space to talk, and they communicate in a constructive and positive way.
Showing appreciation
Kind individuals often express appreciation for the contributions of their colleagues. They may thank others for their hard work, express gratitude for support, or acknowledge the efforts of others in public forums.
Being inclusive
People who value kindness often strive to create an inclusive work environment. They may make an effort to include others, respect diversity, and avoid language or behaviours that could be interpreted as exclusionary.
Look out for behaviours like these that show empathy, collaboration, respect, and a desire to build positive relationships with colleagues. When you observe these behaviours your getting strong signals that these are kind people.
Did you see yourself and the people you work with?
I’d love to hear about the kind words and ways you see where you work. Hit reply or message me with your experiences.
Lemon Water & Gratitude
Most mornings for me start the same way. I head to the kitchen and pop on the kettle to make a pint of hot water with three lemon wedges. Always three wedges and always cut lengthways. There’s a comforting familiarity in starting the same way every day. Holding a steaming hot glass in my hand as I begin the second part of my Morning Practice — the way I set myself up well for the day. But before I get into that, let me give you five good reasons why a glass of lemon water is a terrific way to start your day:
Hydration: Starting your day with a glass of hot water and lemon helps to rehydrate your body after a long night's sleep. Water is essential for many bodily functions, including digestion, transportation of nutrients, and waste removal. If you’ve drunk a pint first thing then you are a quarter of your way towards the recommended daily intake for most people. And you haven’t even had breakfast yet.
Boosts Immune System: Lemon is an excellent source of vitamin C, which helps to boost your immune system and fight off infections. It also has antibacterial properties that can help to keep your body healthy.
Aids Digestion: Drinking hot water with lemon can help stimulate digestion by increasing the production of digestive enzymes. This can lead to improved digestion and less bloating.
Detoxifies: Lemon is known for its natural detoxifying properties. It can help to flush out toxins from the body, which can improve liver function and overall health.
Alkalises the body: Despite being acidic, lemon is an alkalising food, meaning it can help to balance your body's pH levels. An overly acidic body can lead to a host of health problems, including inflammation, joint pain, and digestive issues.
So, hot glass in hand, I now turn to the next way I start my day — with gratitude.
Every morning I write answers to these three prompts:
Today I am grateful for:
Past: something as big as Aloha I live on, or the turmeric latte I had yesterday
Present: anything that feels present right now
Future: something I’m happy when it happens, because I know it will
Starting my day with this gratitude practice powers up my morning. I feel thankful, happy, appreciative, and a whole host of other positive emotions.
Ask yourself, do you feel like that when the first thing you do is check your mobile phone?
As the weeks progress, I’ll share the other elements of my Morning Practice. It truly is a kindness to myself to start my day well.
How do you start your day with kindness toward yourself?
Work better, live more. #WorkKind
This is the Why for this newsletter. A happy day for me is one in which I hear your stories of how you #WorkKind. So hit reply or message me with your ideas, experiences, and stories.
Please, also:
We’ve got your back. You just don’t know it yet. Check out the #WorkKind Community.
Follow my stories, ideas, and practices to help you thrive on the socials that suit you.
And, most importantly, be kind to yourself today.
See you next Wednesday.
Magnus