Pro-Social Skills: Just for the Playground?

by Karen Mastroianni, founding partner at Dimensions Inc

In November 2015 the American Journal of Public Health published studies indicating that such social skills as cooperation, kindness and empathy are keys to succeeding in school and avoiding major problems later in life. The study even suggests that neglecting these skills threatens public health and safety.

Our research also indicates that the consequences can be dire when pro-social skills are “forgotten” in the workplace, damaging well-being, health, safety and productivity. Other terms often used for pro- and anti-social
are civil and uncivil, each associated with well versus caustic work environments.

In a caustic work environment, employees report:

destructive health behaviors
emotional and physical illnesses
reduced energy levels
increased negative attitudes
impaired social relationships.

They also indicate they are less productive at work, withhold information and may seek other employment. The costs are significant for individuals and organizations when companies do not value pro-social behaviors.

While incivility exacts a high cost, civility (pro-social behavior) is often undervalued or taken for granted, and therefore not emphasized. It is a mistake to take pro-social skills lightly or as fluff.

Companies that have tracked, and reduced, incivility in their work environments have saved millions of dollars annually.

Aside from profits, consider the shadow side of neglecting pro-social behaviors:

Do you want a workplace filled with dishonest, mistrustful, disrespectful, and uncollaborative interactions?

We tend to assume that everyone already knows “how to play nice in the sandbox.” We have all heard the admonition to play nice but usually not at work, and many have not learned that they should, or have forgotten how, to apply these pro-social skills in the workplace.

This is reinforced when companies rank such qualities as drive, ambition and competitiveness high. While these often positive qualities should not discount civility, they sometimes do when success at any cost is rewarded and being kind is not recognized, or worse, perceived as “being weak or soft.”

Difficult to learn and practice, these skills demonstrate strength, not weakness. Observe and reflect: what does your experience tell you?

The bottom line is that an uncivil workplace counters being a great place to work. No one benefits. Incivility quickly and deeply undermines a company’s wellness and safety program, regardless of health initiatives or safety training. In addition, incivility undercuts productivity and a company’s mission for success. A civil, pro-social workplace benefits employees and businesses alike.

Creating a civil and well culture is not necessarily easy but always worth the effort! The foundation is mindful self-awareness by leaders and employees.

Start by honestly assessing the levels of incivility between managers and employees, and within employee work groups. The results can indicate the best approaches to creating a pro-social work environment, which leads to developing a great place to work with high levels of engagement and well-being.

The efforts will have a transformative payoff.

About the author
Karen has more than 28 years experience in the health promotion and safety fields. She completed her doctorate degree in Adult Higher Education & Leadership, specializing in organization and workforce development. Her undergrad degree is nursing, with a Master’s in Public Health. She conducts leadership & employee initiatives on developing leader qualities & character, cultivating self awareness for emotional control and positive relationships, and enhancing complete well-being for energy, productivity and health. She is co-author of a book Occupational Health Nursing Guidelines, now in its 4th edition and has published numerous articles. Find out more about Dimensions Inc, visit www.dimensions-ohs.com.

- Advertisement -