Today, connecting with people at work is important for getting work done, increasing levels of personal and professional contentment and making oneself promotable. In the workplace, you can practice kindness and enhance professional relationships without having others see you as weak or "too soft." Appropriate kindness is working with a level of friendliness and wishing no one ill will. Or, coming from a place of "oneness" or "teamwork" and working on a common goal together.
An organization where individual differences are nurtured; information is not suppressed or spun; the company adds value to employees, rather than merely extracting it from them; the organization stands for something meaningful; the work itself is intrinsically rewarding; and there are no meaningless rules.
At the same time, organizations must also create many opportunities for positive interactions between employees. In order to really connect individual employees must make an effort to listen effectively to coworkers, subordinates, mentors and colleagues, at all times. When you talk, be sure to express that you appreciate the other individual and value specific contributions they have made.
Another way to create a healthy and positive atmosphere at work is to do small acts of kindness such as bringing a colleague a cup of coffee, acknowledge contributions publicly or sending a unpretentious "way to go" message.
Follow the Platinum Rule, this means treat others how they expect to be treated...not how you want to be treated. The Golden Rule is treating others the way you want to be treated. The Platinum Rule takes it one step further. As an example, when I was managing a group in a major corporation, after the successful completion of a major project, I was inclined to order a special meal for the team from a good restaurant. However, I realized my group preferred to go out to celebrate rather than eating at the office. Although my preference was to order in, I changed my preference to what the majority of the group enjoyed most. A very simple yet important compromise.
How the person gives is often the way he/she likes to receive as well. It does take effort to listen, observe and plan; the effort is worth it because you will discover what type of loving kindness that individual values. Then, your efforts will be targeted to a specific person and more appreciated. Each day, make a conscious choice to express loving kindness to yourself and others in ways that are more meaningful to the receiver than to you, the giver. In doing so, we make better connections and Create a Legacy and culture of loving kindness within our workplaces.