How likely is it that your team would say ‘Yes’ in response to the following statement?
‘My supervisor, or someone at work, seems to care about me as a person’
If they do say ‘Yes’, would you be one of the people they think of as demonstrating ‘caring towards others’?
Gallup has found that people who answer ‘Yes’:
- Are more likely to stay with the organisation
- Have more engaged customers
- Are more productive*
So, caring about your employees/co-workers seems to be a good idea. But, so often this comes across as fake and, in my opinion, fake interest is worse than no interest at all.
In order for this to feel authentic to both you and others, it needs to connect to a deeply held value. So, my question for you is: Who do you want to be at work? How do you want others to see you? If ‘caring’ is a value you want to enact at work then not only will you feel authentic and vital but you might just be adding to the bottom line too!
* Taken from Vital Friends – Tom Rath
Working with ACT 