December 21, 2022

Goodwill in the Workplace

By Ken Giglio, Principal of Mindful Leadership

Nothing that I can do or say will change the structure of the universe. But maybe, by raising my voice, I can help the greatest of all causes — goodwill among people and peace on earth. — Albert Einstein

We are in the season of Goodwill. As the year shrinks by the day, and activity slows at work and quickens at home before the holiday break, messages and gestures of goodwill are abundant from cards to gifts to emails.

What would it be like if Goodwill was shared and experienced in workplace all year round?

Goodwill is defined as “a kindly feeling of approval and support: benevolent interest or concern,” and “a feeling or wanting to be friendly and helpful to someone.” Notice the word “feeling” in both definitions. The giving and receiving of feelings of friendliness, approval, and support have been shown in various studies to boost morale and happiness in the workplace.

Being on the receiving end of caring approval and recognition engenders trust and builds confidence. It is a feeling of assurance that one can be themselves. The impact of generating goodwill is a more motivated workforce, which is ready to take on challenges and enact positive change.

In 23 years of coaching executives there have been some, not many, that share goodwill naturally and consistently. For these leaders, goodwill is not forced but authentically how they show up. They appear to carry a flame of benevolent warmth that emanates from within them in all their interactions. Others feel goodwill in their presence because it is for them and directed at them. The result is positive emotional contagion, which has been shown to impact individuals, groups, and entire cultures, creating engagement, and generating well-being.

Below are some feedback comments from 360 interviews I did for a C-Suite executive client from their team and peers. This is what goodwill looks like and feels like from a leader.

• What I appreciate most is their kind spirit. Their humanity is a beautiful thing and always a pleasure to be around. It is simply inspiring to work with them they are so caring, friendly, and passionate
• I feel they are someone who cares about me enough to step in and redirect me when needed. I know they have my best interest in mind. I can ask for help. I’m trusted to make decisions, and I’m acknowledged and appreciated for the work I do
• Building impactful relationships takes a lot of time and attention, and I see this happening day in and day out. I am not sure how they get everything done and remain as authentic, kind, and caring everyday

I asked this executive where their goodwill comes from: “I love the people I work with, and I treat them like family. I try to treat everyone like family, or like an old friend.” Imagine walking through life treating all those we meet at work, and in all situations, like they are an old friend, someone we deeply care about, approve of, and support.

Imagine workplace cultures shaped by leaders like the one described above, where feelings of goodwill pervade the environment. The “feeling” aspect of the workplace is called the emotional culture and has been studied by Wharton professor and researcher, Sigal Barsade, who sadly passed away earlier this year. She explored how organizations can harness the positive emotions people are already feeling, like goodwill, and bring them to the surface more in natural ways that integrate with the way people work together. Equally important is allowing negative emotions to be acknowledged and worked with in constructive ways to avoid a contagion of negativity. Sigal was also a leader in researching, in the corporate environment, what psychologists call companionate love—deep caring, affection, and support of another—which can be seen as the same as goodwill.

Goodwill needs nurturing at the individual, group and organizational levels. Here are some things to keep in mind as we build cultures of Goodwill:

• It is cultivated within us, and this sparks the motivation to share it with others
• We need to consciously practice being of goodwill toward others
• It builds on itself – the multiplier effect
• It fosters well-being in individuals and organizations
• Goodwill is intimately connected to Belonging

I feel it is important here to acknowledge that there are those among us who are struggling this time of year to feel positive and of goodwill, and these are the individuals that need our goodwill perhaps most of all.

Goodwill is a mindset and a mindfulness practice. We keep in mind the wish for the happiness of others and show up in ways that enact this mindset. Goodwill creates caring workplace cultures. May we share goodwill throughout the year and not just during the holidays when it is expected.