2 days Ago By SHANKAR SANTHIRAM
In my training programmes, I regularly share videos featuring some snippets of Simon Sinek. Sinek is an author and motivational speaker, who has written quite extensively about management, leadership, and business processes.In one of his videos, Sinek speaks about "genuinely doing something good for others.
" He refers specifically to this hormone; oxytocin, and how significant it is, for all of humanity. This hormone is said to act as a type of chemical messenger that plays an important role in the function of social bonding, and other aspects of human behavior. It is also commonly known as the "love hormone.
" Why is this hormone so important for you, at work?Oxytocin has a relationship enhancing effect. And needless to say, so many organisations in Malaysia need to rebuild relationships. In fact, recent events show that the whole of Malaysia needs a healthy dose of oxytocin.
Naturally, this hormone is released in your body through hugging, and other intimate physical activity. It helps you adapt to various emotional and social situations, and is especially vital for romantic partners during arguments. It builds trust, empathy, and fidelity in relationships.
Similarly, these are the characteristics that are really crucial in every workplace. I am not asking you to go around hugging your work colleagues. There may be unwanted ramifications if you do that.
Instead, understand that it is important to have trust and empathy with your co-workers. In organisations, if coworkers can't see eye to eye on an issue, and take up polarising positions, you know this can cause major conflicts in your office. It is trust, empathy and the ability to communicate constructively that can diffuse any tension.
And here's the thing; it is selfless behaviour that actually leads to the secretion of oxytocin. Research has found that developing what is known as "organisational citizenship," means that you are willing to help others, go the extra mile, and in turn, it makes you more contented at work. It simply requires you to learn to do things at the workplace without an expectation of reciprocity.
You don't have to spend every waking moment helping others, but research says, if you develop this mindset of unselfishness, you connect better with others. It is also critical for your own health, and also for the well-being of the people around you.Acting selflessly towards others may not come easily for many, on account of their life experiences.
However, if you hold a leadership position in your organisation, it is most sensible that your corporate structure be set up to encourage, or foster such behaviour.In his best-selling book, People Follow You: The Real Secret to What Matters Most in Leadership, Jeb Blount, an expert in cultivating organisational high-performance culture argues that ultimately people will only follow the leaders that they like, trust, and believe in. He says that managers don't get paid for what they actually do, but rather for the performance of their people.
And this, requires you to be selfless. Unfortunately, in my experience, most organisations do not actively encourage this. There are more studies that illustrate the power of unselfishness, including one that was done by Professor Donald Moynihan at the University of Wisconsin in the US.
His research shows that compassionate people at the workplace who are more likely to help their colleagues, are also more committed to their work, and are less likely to quit. Moynihan is clear and says that his findings make the profound point that helping others simply makes you happier.It is not that you must constantly sacrifice yourself, but is part of a healthy psychological reward system.
You need not aspire to be a great philanthropist or someone who simply spends their workday going around helping colleagues, but if you make a daily effort to recognise the good work of others; make an extra effort to assist a coworker; or just ask about how someone's life is going, you are becoming a better colleague or boss. In a rather polarised Malaysia, with regular toxicity being spewed on social media and viral posts, we need leaders, both in politics, as well as in business and civil society who lead with compassion and colleagues who act with kindness.If you delight in the success of others, and can honestly say that you have made someone else's life better, you add an immense amount of value to yourself.
When you do something good for someone else without expectation, you release the requisite oxytocin, and become a more contented person yourself.Ultimately, you have to ask yourself if being happy is important to you!© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd.
