Using your heart in the workplace may feel like a contradictory idea, but when you really love what you do it will increase your productivity and make you feel better along the way. “Having a heart”, by way of compassion, will help in any role at work – whether it’s improving your relationships with your coworkers, learning to better understand the needs of employees, or even pushing through the more unpleasant parts of your job.
There are many different ways you can learn to use your heart at work, give a few of them a try and notice the way it improves both your productivity and happiness!
1. Communicate Your Gratitude
It makes us feel good to know that our hard work is acknowledged, and sincerely thanking people when they’ve put in the time and effort to do something for us helps to make sure our coworkers know we appreciate them. Adding positive energy to the workplace will help you feel better, but it can also help everyone else have a better day too.
2. Communication — In General!
Spending the time to communicate clearly and effectively will save a lot of time and hassle, and make sure that there aren’t any disagreements because of things being misinterpreted or worded in a confusing way. Taking those few extra seconds to reread your emails before you send them, and making sure they’re clear, is a simple way you can spend a little extra time to make life easier for those you work with.
3. Seek Opportunities to Help
Sometimes it feels like it would be a lot easier to just do the bare minimum, but next time there’s an opportunity to volunteer for a project, take it! Taking a chance and volunteering for a project others may not want to do will give you a sense of pride and accomplishment, as well as demonstrating that you care and are willing to step up when needed.
4. Be Attentive and Interested
Showing those around you that you’re listening and interested in what they’re saying is one of the best ways to make connections with the people around you. Taking the time to respond thoughtfully will show people that you were actually listening to and absorbing what they’re saying. This is helpful for bosses as well–demonstrating that you value your employees will make them much more likely to want to do their best work. A company that cares about its employees and makes sure they know they matter will always make more of an impact on those who are working there.
5. Find Things to Love About Your Job
We can’t always be in our dream job, but finding positivity in the job you are doing is a great way to make sure you’re always putting your best foot forward at work. Think of ways that the work you’re doing is helping people or making an impact. These reasons can help you too. If you’re ever feeling stuck, remembering the things you love about your job will remind you why you decided on that job in the first place.
Not only is using heart and compassion in the workplace is a great way of making connections with your coworkers, but it can help make your work more meaningful. When you are positive and thoughtful, work becomes much easier to manage and it can help relieve the stresses that come with an overwhelming or fast-paced job.
Sources:
https://blueprintleadership.com/compassion-having-heart-in-the-workplace/
https://www.shiftthework.com/blog/use-your-heart-in-the-workplace-to-create-more-engagement
https://wildaboutwork.com/make-work-more-meaningful-11-ways-to-bring-your-heart-to-work/