Generosity at Work
| Generosity is a powerful tool that when practiced in organizations can build an environment where everyone thrives. But financial generosity of salary, bonuses and vacation time is only one way that you can benefit your team. Four other aspects of generosity at work that are equally powerful (but do not cost a dime) are: |
| Generosity of Attention Consistently in employee satisfaction surveys, the most important factor for an employee's satisfaction is not salary or other compensation, but rather the quality of the relationship with their immediate manager. Making the commitment to be generous with your attention can take the form of: • Mentoring motivated individuals on your team • Listening to the concerns and successes of your staff • Being interested in what is important or motivating to your employees Generosity of Effort What makes the difference between the team that gets it done, and the team that goes the extra mile? It is the commitment to generosity of effort. You can model this in your organization by: • Giving just a little more than what is expected • Giving your best effort even when the result is not in the limelight • Giving more attention to the small details that will matter to someone else Generosity of Feedback I have frequently heard senior managers complain about the lack of feedback from their managers, including the absence of performance appraisals. Sometimes it seems as if executives are expected to not need or want feedback. Ways that you can be generous with feedback are: • Acknowledging small and large successes real-time • Offering concrete suggestions for improvement • Separating feedback on work product from personal assessments of individuals (e.g. “the presentation needed stronger supporting data after the second point" rather than “he gave a lame presentation” Generosity of Spirit This last area can be the least tangible in action, but the most powerful in intention. It is the overriding attitude that you hold toward your customers, vendors and employees. It is characterized by these qualities: • Assuming that other are honest • Celebrating the success of others • Giving the benefit of the doubt when assessing intentions • Wishing the best for others • Handling mistakes, blunders, and goofs with graciousness Pitfalls of Generosity Some ways in which the practice of generosity can backfire are: • Giving in hopes of getting something in return • Giving beyond your resources (time or money) • Giving inauthentically When the practice of generosity is sustained in an organization, over time it can be an antidote to grasping, entitlement, greed, and internal warring. |
| A culture of generosity builds and multiplies and becomes the way of being for the individuals in the company. As it builds momentum and takes on a life of its own, the rewards (or ROI!) multiplies beyond expectation. |