Page 13 - CBI Magazine_May 2021

CBI MAGAZINE | May 2021
KINDNESS MAKES FOR GREAT TEAMWORK
In 2012, researchers for Google, studied nearly 180 teams in search of the secrets to some of the most successful teams. The 2 most common traits shared by the most
efficient teams were:
1. Freedom of expression without fear of punishment or ridicule
2. Empathy from all team members
Over the past two decades, collaborative work has increased by 50%. Kindness and a willingness
to help others, when building a team, has become an essential component for extracting its’ full potential. Of course, the best way, always, is to LEAD BY EXAMPLE. According to a recent study in the Journal of Applied Psychology, “the extra- milers—those who always go above and beyond—can improve and raise the performance of an entire team. Their ability to spontaneously offer assistance, and surpass themselves, sets an example and encourages others to do the same”. LEADERSHIP
IS AN ACT OF KINDNESS.
The famous poet and author, Kahlil Gibran wrote: “Work is love made visible. And if you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your work and sit at the gate of the temple and take alms of those who work with joy."
The infinite potential of kindness in work and business is a new- ish topic of discussion. “Kindness is weakness” is still a deeply entrenched thread in the fabric
of our collective construction of reality. However, as we move away from the patriarchal paradigms of “only the tough (usually meaning rude and mean) survive”, “play to win” “business is dog eat dog” and “fight to get ahead”, we see the word showing up in corporate companies’ mission statements and annual reports.
More and more companies are wanting kindness as a primary, core value. It’s becoming clearer that it builds trust and co-operation, which facilitates better teamwork, thus increasing revenue potential. So, we expect this to become an exciting, ever evolving foundation of a new culture for long standing, mutually beneficial business relationships that will infiltrate the boardroom, home office and presentation rooms everywhere.
“You cannot do a
kindness too soon,
for you never
know how soon it
will be too late.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
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