Sometimes, you need to gain valuable information about the cause of a problem in order to find a solution. But, getting caught up in assigning blame only ends up being a distraction in the short term and in the long term damages relations between people and departments.

I think that part of being kinder is letting go of the need to find and assign blame. Kindness can free us from the cycle of blame, help us support a coworker who might need help with a project and keep lines of communication open and trustful.

I love the idea of a code of conduct. It’s simple and effective and holistic and inclusive. Love it.

Andy, that is the best motto ever! It’s all related in libraries – I don’t know too many people who can work in a negative or nasty environment in the back and just magically be service oriented and kind to patrons when they’re public-facing. Most people don’t operate that way.

You’re right, respect is so important to kindness, Kiyomi. Otherwise, it’s too easy to slip into being patronizing. It’s important no matter where you work, lab or library (I have a dear friend who is a scientist and I think there are some interesting lab-library parallels, though. You’ll have to let us all know what you observe.)

Tasha, wow! Like Stacks, I’d love to see that code of conduct! I’m really impressed that it worked so well. Do you think it was just having it in writing or did management set an example or were people self-policing? There’s an article in your library’s experience for sure.

The code reminded everyone what was expected of them. Professionalism, kindness, respect and care. Now a few years later, there is no need for the code because everyone just naturally follows it. No need to remind either. It’s like working in a different library!

I was very interested to read your post. I recently wrote a similar post but approached this topic from the angle of respect. Looking at the similarities and differences between what we both wrote I think that respect and kindness go hand in hand, if you aren’t respectful you aren’t kind but being genuinely respectful enables kindness. Please feel free to use any of my ideas or examples that you feel are relevant. I am new to librarianship but have a long work history as a environmental chemist and I think that the skills needed to build a good work environment for employees and patrons/customers are the same.

http://libraryadventures.com/2009/08/28/new-employees-and-employers/

At our library the staff tries to remember our unofficial motto which is “all fun, all the time.” Work is so much more productive and rewarding when you’re having fun with your co-workers. This fun that we have shows and makes the library a happier place to be. Kindness or even just a smile can be infectious. It takes a little work but you can make kindness “go viral.”

Another thing I remember hearing at a conference from a woman named Anne Washburne is that you should “own your work environment.” You have the power to bring about change in the workplace and it depends on your decisions. Choose kindness and it’ll happen.