Access the essential membership for Modern Managers
Welcome to your exclusive Mind Tools member newsletter, designed to help you survive and thrive at work.
Each week, you’ll find personal insight and advice from the mindtools.com editors, and from our network of thought leaders, researchers and coaches.
This week, we’re exploring the impact of showing consideration at work.
Then scroll down for our Tip of the Week about getting better at taking feedback, and for stories about remote working – and side hustling – in our News Roundup.
How to Be More Considerate at Work
By Yolande Conradie, Coach, Facilitator and Writer
"Really big people are, above everything else, courteous, considerate and generous – not just to some people in some circumstances – but to everyone all the time."
–Thomas J. Watson, former chairman and CEO of IBM
What Makes a Considerate Colleague?
Everybody has a different idea of what it means to be considerate. In my mind, consideration for others is the foundation of good manners. It means adjusting your actions and words in small ways to accommodate other people's needs and feelings.
When I was younger, I didn't understand why this was such a big issue. I always assumed that my mother was fussing about nothing when she reminded me to be more considerate.
But as I grew older, I realized that it's one of my most important values, and I'm grateful to my mother for teaching me to care about other people's feelings as much as my own.
While being considerate may not come naturally to some, it’s a skill that can be developed and honed over time. Here are some simple steps to becoming more considerate at work.
Start Small
Being considerate often involves doing something small. For example, making sure that there’s a clean coffee cup for the next person, or helping your colleague to carry a large box of files. These small acts of kindness show that you don't only think of yourself, but that you're also mindful of others.
Share Your Space
When working in a shared office, consider that other people also need to feel comfortable in that space. Just because you don't mind dirty cutlery or trailing cables, that doesn't mean your colleagues will feel the same.
Respect Other People's Time
Be considerate of other people's time. See to it that you're on time for work, meetings and social gatherings. And if something unforeseen happens, be sure to let people know, so that you don't keep them waiting.
By respecting other people's time, you show that you value them as much as yourself. Plus, they may feel more inclined to return the favor in the future!
Don't Be Afraid to Apologize
It's mature and thoughtful to apologize for your mistakes. If you said or did something that was uncalled for, say sorry. If you had your facts mixed up, say, "You're right, and thanks for correcting me," and learn from it. It's not a sign of weakness to admit when you're wrong, but rather a sign of inner strength and humility.
Be Polite
Having good manners and being polite means going out of your way to make other people feel at ease and respected. It may sound simple, but a well-placed "please" or "thank you" can go a long way, and will also boost your reputation.
Anticipate the Needs of Others
Spot opportunities to be helpful. Try to anticipate what someone is going to need next. For example, show a new colleague around the office, or offer them a drink. Learn to say, "How can I help you?" rather than, "Can I help you?"
Think Before You Speak/Act
Don't let your mood affect how you treat your peers. If you're having a bad day, don't suck others into it by being rude. Treat your colleagues with respect and thoughtfulness, even if you don't feel like doing so. It's the hallmark of emotional intelligence.
What's Next?
Considering the needs of others helps to create strong working relationships, builds trust, and makes everyday life better for everyone on the team. So, for ideas about how you can become even more considerate at work, check out our article The Considerate Colleague, watch our video 10 Ideas for Random Acts of Kindness, or listen to our interview with psychologist and author Melanie Katzman.
Tip of the Week
Receiving Feedback – With SARAH
By Jonathan Hancock, Mind Tools Senior Editor
It’s often hard to hear feedback. Having someone unpick your performance can be unsettling, frustrating, disappointing, even anger-inducing – before, during and after the feedback is given.
If you struggle with feedback, you’re not alone. But there’s someone who can help: Sarah! She’s the hero of our far-from-fairytale story about facing up to feedback. And her name spells out three typical reactions: Shock, Anger, and Rejecting criticism; plus two positive steps forward: Accepting feedback, and getting Help.
So SARAH becomes a useful reminder of how hard feedback can be – but also what you can do to survive it, and benefit from it.
To get the full story, watch our animated video Receiving Feedback: The Story of Sarah and pick up more tips on facing up to feedback fiercely!
The Pain Points Podcast
Don't miss the latest episode of our “Pain Points” podcast!
Do managers and leaders need to be “self-aware” to succeed in their roles? And if they lack self-awareness, what can they do about it?
Author and leadership expert Bill Dickinson joins Jonathan and the team this week for more stories, insights and tips about the challenges we all face at work – in Pain Points, the exclusive podcast for Mind Tools members.
Subscribe Today
News Roundup
This Week's Global Workplace Insights
Productivity Anxiety
Ever worry that you’re not achieving enough at work? It’s a common fear, particularly among remote workers who may feel unseen and distrusted – unless they produce enough tangible work by the end of the day. It’s been given a name – “productivity anxiety” – and it seems to be rife in the workplace.
According to a Workhuman survey of 10,000 full-time employees, 80 percent feel anxious at times about failing to be fully productive. And productivity anxiety is even higher among Gen Z, with 58 percent experiencing it several times a week.
This reflects a growing reliance on meeting deadlines as a marker of success (regardless of how good the output is, or how well the team has worked to achieve it). For more than two thirds of people surveyed, simply finishing tasks denotes “a good day.”
Interviewed by Forbes, Dr Meisha-Ann Martin from Workhuman points out the risks here to our wellbeing. “This narrative teaches employees that to achieve their professional goals,” she says, “they must constantly strive to perform better, often at the expense of personal wellbeing and mental health.”
Her antidote? Find a balance that promotes efficiency and success without compromising mental and physical health.
Easier said than done, maybe. But worth pursuing (although don’t try to get it done by the end of today!).
Should You Share Your Side Hustles?
In some organizations, people hide their side hustles for fear of being seen as uncommitted to their day job, or in case they fall foul of company rules.
But one employer has gone to the other extreme and started encouraging its people to talk openly about the paid things they do outside of their normal work.
According to WorkLife, creative communications firm Day One Agency has an initiative called “Outside D1A,” where employees are encouraged to share their side hustles during staff meetings. The aim is to help colleagues get to know each other better, but also to boost innovation, inspire ambition, and find new ways to tap into people’s passions.
Staff have spoken about side hustles including stand-up comedy, food blogging, fashion design, and DJing. And some have gone on to use these skills for the agency’s paying clients.
There’ll still be private passions that people want to keep separate from their professional role. But maybe it’s time to be less hush-hush about at least some of our side hustles, to boost connection, celebrate creativity, and capitalize on more of our best talents at work.
See you next week for more member-exclusive content and insight from the Mind Tools team!
