I was running a training programme earlier this week, and in one of my sessions, I decided to share a video featuring some snippets of Simon Sinek.
Sinek is a motivational speaker as well as an author who has written quite extensively about management, leadership and business processes.
In the video, he talked about genuinely doing something good for others and, specifically, about the hormone oxytocin and how significant it was for humanity.
This hormone is said to be the "chemical messenger" that plays an important role in the reproduction of humans and, thus, it is also commonly known as the "love hormone".
Now, why is this hormone so important for you at work?
Well, oxytocin has a relationship-enhancing effect. And needless to say, many organisations in Malaysia need to rebuild relationships as they return to full "work from the office" mode.
This hormone is released naturally in your body through hugging, cuddling and other intimate physical activity. It helps you adapt to various emotional and social situations, especially between romantic partners.
It is vital for trust, empathy and fidelity in relationships, and it helps with positive communication and improves the process of bonding. Anyone in a relationship will tell you that these are the most vital qualities that will protect your marriage or partnership.
Similarly, these are the characteristics that are crucial in the workplace.
I am not asking you to hug your work colleagues but simply emphasising how important it is to have trust and empathy with the co-workers.
The biggest problem occurs in an organisation when colleagues become highly emotional in their relationships with each other. When they can't see eye to eye on an issue, and take up polarising positions, you know this can cause a major distress.
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", which means that you are willing to help others and go the extra mile, makes you more contented at work.
It simply means that you learn to do things at the workplace without an expectation of reciprocity.
You don't have to spend every waking moment helping others, but science says if you develop this empowering mindset of unselfishness, you connect better with others. It is also critical for your own health and the wellbeing 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 a 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 said managers didn't get paid for what they actually did, but rather for the performance of their people. And this, requires ones to be selfless.
In my experience, the reality is that most organisations do not actively encourage this.
There is more research that illustrates the power of altruism, including one that was done by Prof Donald Moynihan at the University of Wisconsin in the United States.
His study shows that compassionate people at the workplace who are more likely to help their colleagues are also more committed to their work and less likely to quit.
Moynihan said his findings made the profound point that simply helping others could make you happier.
It is not that you must constantly sacrifice yourself but rather 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 co-worker; or just ask about how someone's life is going, you'll become a better colleague or boss.
In the post-Covid-19 pandemic world, isn't this what you expect from your leaders, both in the government and politics, as well as in business and civil society?
These are leaders who lead with compassion and colleagues who act with kindness.
If you delight in the success of others and can honestly say 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.
Just ask yourself if being happy is important to you. If it is, you'll learn this trait at work.
The writer is managing consultant and executive leadership coach at EQTD Consulting. He is also the author of the national bestseller 'So, You Want To Get Promoted?'
