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‘Self-kindness key to fulfilling potential at work’
22 June 2021 Professional Development
Self-kindness is integral to people reaching their full potential in the workplace, according to results of a five-year research project.
The study, from GLAS Group, includes assessments taken by 1,000 people since before the start of the pandemic and found work to be one of the highest areas of worry for people (25%).
Family and relationships (25%) also a common area of concern with issues around self-identity another (29%).
When asked about the future, 28% of people felt stuck, 26% felt doubtful and 18% were worried about lack of purpose.
However, the research found that those in positions of leadership and responsibility that people look to for reassurance and consistency in difficult times were actually struggling the most.
Worrying statistics
Nearly all (97%) of said they needed more balance in their lives, while eight in 10 (79%) feared not being good enough, while half (49%) were struggling with self-doubt and 47% felt stuck in their lives.
To cope with this, 62% of leaders and those in positions of responsibility said they are indulging in excessive behaviours and if they do think about their own needs and looking after themselves properly they feel guilty (42%).
One in seven (14%) went on to say they have serious concerns for their health.
Major barriers
But, despite these worrying statistics, 32% recognise they need to simplify their lives and 24% are actively seeking more stability.
Dani Saveker, the GLAS Group founder, said: “The research highlights just how overwhelmed people feel and how many of the major barriers and challenges for people are predominantly issues associated with their own health, relationships and anxieties as well as how they see themselves.
“These are directly linked to their inability to act with self-kindness and being able to do this is more important than ever when the going gets tough.
“If you’re tipping the scale too far to the right and giving all of yourself to others, your ability to look after yourself is completely depleted and stress and exhaustion kicks in.
“Of course, it’s a sliding scale and we move up and down it depending on what’s happening in our lives and at work. However, the more we try and look after ourselves the better we feel and behave, which of course has a knock-on effect to others around us in the workplace and the happiness and productivity of everyone in the business.”
The research is part of a wider ‘2000 Days Self-Kindness’ project which comprises of the research assessment, in-depth qualitative interviews, and a personal experiment which has seen Dani conduct an act of kindness in her business and personal life every day for the past five years since 1st January 2016.