Putting the human back
into human resources
"In the midst of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer"

Rosie Kelly

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The Business of Kindness - Synopsis

In workplaces everywhere, we are constantly being faced with new business challenges that will have a direct impact on the financial bottom line. More and more, we are being called upon to remain both innovative and competitive as business environments experience never before seen change change. Inside our organizations, we are being faced with addressing resource shortages, downsizing, multi-tasking, longer hours, and broader responsibilities.

One of the most alarming effects of these demands is the ever-increasing stress experienced by those who work in these organizations. As a result, companies can no longer avoid dealing with the so-called "soft" issues of stress, wellness, and employee morale. Today, we have clear evidence that not paying attention to these issues is having significant negative impact on people, productivity and, at the end of the day, bottom line profits.

We are facing unprecedented continuous change in the ways we work. As information and new technology become more readily available, we are increasingly becoming a "plugged in" society that calls on employees to be available "24/7" on cell phones and e-mail.

The Business of Kindness™ is a leading-edge approach aimed at enhancing wellness and sustainability for employees throughout the organization as well as for the organization itself.

The solution is proactively supporting kindness as a value in the workplace because it is a simple concept-too simple, on first impression, to provide a solution to the complex and serious challenges businesses are currently facing. It is precisely this simplicity, however, that gives this initiative the power to affect change at all levels, both with individuals and organizations.

We all know what it means to be kind-how it feels to be the recipient of a kind act and the rewards of bestowing a kindness upon another human being. It doesn't take days of training seminars or files of manuals to teach people how to appreciate and practice kindness. Kindness is a quality that is valued by all persons regardless of gender, age, culture or beliefs.

While kindness may not be what happens naturally when employee teams are squeezed by pressures at work, focusing on kindness as a core value and as a standard for decision-making provides an easily understood "emotional benchmark" for recharging and centering oneself in the midst of stress and rapid change. When under pressure to make a choice, it may not be as easy to determine which option represents the highest level of integrity, quality or innovation. It is easy, however, to determine which choice feels most kind to ourselves, our colleagues, our community,. On a personal level, each of us can relate to how a simple kind word or an offer of help from a friend or colleague can go a long way to alleviate stress and turn our day around.

This book provides the easy solutions and raises one's awareness in developing 12 Character Building Traits which support creating a kinder working environment.

A kinder more caring workplace will be the determining factor that distinguished successful businesses and leaders when facing the challenges to come.