The Kindness Toolkits
Building a workplace of kindness doesn't have to entail a systemic, resource-intensive overhaul. Simple gestures, repeated, can often be just as transformative.
Below is a range of ideas, tools and resources to help you get started on making a real and lasting impact!
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Display positive messages about kindness in your workplace. Remember kindness starts with self-care. Display these free downloadable messages of kindness, or send an e-greeting to thank someone.
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Wear a #kindnessworkshere badge and note the conversations that follow.
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Kindness can mean different things to different people. Build a kindness wall or tree using these cards and gather a diverse range of views on what kindness means where you are. (This creative idea was inspired by our friends at Monash Health!)
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Add kindness to handover meetings by consciously expressing kindness to you colleagues. Read more about K-ISBAR.
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Start a discussion at your team meeting using one of these four themes: communication, barriers to kindness, acts of kindness and patient-centred care.
Getting Started
This toolkit is designed to help start conversations on your ward and in your department about kindness and what it means to you.
Explore what kindness means
Spark conversations about kindness with visual reminders
Discussion starters
Implement new practices
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Implement Schwartz Rounds at your healthcare organisation. Schwartz Rounds are regularly scheduled times for healthcare professionals to discuss the social and emotional issues they face caring for patients and their families. See how Monash Health facilitates Schwartz Rounds.
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Connect with organisational values through personal story. Invite staff in your organisation to share personal stories that exemplify your organisations values at key events.
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Demonstrate your organisation's commitment to kindness by endorsing robust discussions and learning about kindness.
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Host a Hush Health Play at your healthcare organisation and discuss how kindness can create safer workplaces and improve wellbeing.
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Develop your own Gathering of Kindness event based on your organisation's needs and interests.
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Start a discussion at leadership meetings using this prompt from Elizabeth Broderick: What does leading with kindness look like?
Making an Impact
When you're ready to make a bigger impact, this toolkit can help take kindness to a wider audience in your healthcare organisation.