I think that generosity in the workplace can transform your culture and ultimately impact your bottom line. Generosity makes business better.

What if I told you that I’m not just talking about financial bonuses and extra vacation days?

I think there are little shifts you can make each day, and encourage your employees to make as well, that will help create a generous culture. They all have to do with pausing!

PAUSE BEFORE YOU TALK.

Listening to your colleagues and employees will set you apart.

Listening and hearing your employees will set you above. People want to be heard and understood. When you choose to listen and really hear others, they will be dedicated to you, your company or department, and the work you do. They will be more satisfied in their job, feel as though they are contributing, and feel valued. This is good for business.

PAUSE BEFORE YOU HIT SEND.

We’ve probably all done it: sent an email that we wish we could take back.

You can be generous at work by pausing- and not hitting send on that passive aggressive or condescending note. In the pause, consider what you’re trying to say. Allow yourself to cool off. Have a trusted friend read the note and ask how they experience you. You will get a lot further in your relationships this way.

PAUSE BEFORE YOU ASSUME.

This might be the most important pause you make.

So much of our understanding is based on our assumptions, rather than truth. Pay attention to what you think about. Are you assuming the best or the worst in others? Do some of your assumptions need to be addressed with an appropriate conversation? Thinking about what you think about will allow you to throw away unhealthy assumptions and clear your brain- and energy- to be spent on useful and productive things.