Value of Kindness & Patience

Activity Time Toothpaste Who Am I? Activity [ As a community you can decide to do one or both of the activities. As a community you can also decide to do each activity more than once. Consider using a station approach and allowing each employee to try both activities. ] Activity #1: The Toothpaste Activity – Ask for a volunteer to come to the front of the room. Place a strip of masking tape on the length of the table. With a tube of toothpaste, have the volunteer run a bead of toothpaste on the length of the masking tape. Now ask the participant to put the toothpaste back in the tube. Activity #2: Who Am I?- Have the participants write down on a sheet of paper names that they were called when they were younger or that they may even be called now. After they have done this have them crumble up the paper and throw it in the garbage can as indicator that they will never be called this name again. Next have the participants write down on another sheet of paper what they want to be called or words that they would like others use to describe them, as an indicator that this is what my name actually is.

Toothpaste Activity Obviously putting the toothpaste back in the tube is nearly impossible and can’t be done! What symbolism does this have to bullying and workplace respect? Now, let’s talk about the toothpaste activity. Obviously putting the toothpaste back in the tube is nearly impossible and can’t be done. What symbolism does this have to bullying and workplace respect? [ANSWER: This activity symbolizes that hurtful words cannot be taken back. Like the toothpaste, once they are out in the open, they cannot go back in. Bullies say hurtful words frequently and need to know the impact that their words have on their victims.]

Who Am I? First sheet - The Bad Names How did the names make you feel? How did these names impact you? Second sheet - The Good Names How do these names make you feel? How did you determine what names to select? What can you do as a team member to make sure other team members are called by their preferred name? Transitioning to the next activity- Who Am I? DISCUSSION: How many of you found this activity difficult? Why? What part was harder- writing the Bad Names or the Good Names? First sheet- The Bad Names How did the names make you feel? How did these names impact you? Second sheet- The Good Names How do these names make you feel? How did you determine what names to select? What can you do as a team member to make sure other team members are called by their preferred name?

What Causes Impatience? Observing or being impacted by someone not following process, routine, procedures or standardized training Conversely, not having a process, routine or procedure when there should be one Feeling too busy Trying to please everyone Answering the same question over and over Additional reasons? There are many reasons why individuals become impatient. Some examples- Observing or being impacted by someone not following process, routine, procedures, or standardized training Conversely, not having a process, routine or procedure when there should be one. Feeling too busy Managing changes Trying to please everyone Answering the same question over and over DISCUSSION: What makes you impatient? What Causes Impatience?

When We Forget to Be Patient We may say things that we don’t mean We may use different tone or volume Our body language may not be positive When We Forget to Be Patient… We may say things that we don’t mean. We may use different tone or volume of voice. Our body language may not be positive. DISCUSSION: What happens to you when you become busy or irritated?

The Impact on the Workplace Team members feeling like they are on “pins & needles” Heightened stress and anxiety Increased absenteeism High percentage of turnover Staff burnout Low productivity Decreased quality of care Failing to exercising patience and kindness may results in: Team members feeling like they are on “pins & needles” Heightened stress and anxiety Increased absenteeism High percentage of turnover Staff burnout Low productivity Decreased quality of care This does not sound like a good work environment! We want ORGANIZATION NAME to be a place you enjoy coming to – a place where you feel safe, welcome, encouraged, and inspired.

Immediate Coping Strategies Stop and take a breath (Inhale for 5, exhale for 5) Think before you speak Remember everyone has bad days - things always cannot be perfect Take a walk Explain to other team members that you need a moment to catch up Smile Additional Ideas? Stop and take a breath (Inhale for 5, exhale for 5). Remember everyone has bad days- things always cannot be perfect. Take a walk. Explain to other team members that you need a moment to catch up. Smile. Additional Ideas? What works for you? What should we start doing in our organization to help?

After the Fact Coping Strategies Reflect, understand why your are getting frustrated, upset, stressed Talk with a leader, manager, or human resources Ask how you can become involved in remedying the solution Offer to provide additional teaching and training Approach the team member directly, talk with them, offer training (as applicable) Once the immediate need to demonstrate kindness and patience has expired: Reflect, understand why your are getting frustrated, upset, stressed. Talk with a leader, manager, or human resources. Ask how you can become involved in remedying the solution. Offer to provide additional teaching and training. Approach the team member directly, talk with them, offer training (as applicable).

Applying the Activities… Remember, the words we use and how we interact with one another during stressful and busy moments have a significant impact on: Job Satisfaction Engagement Retention Quality of Care Customer Service Make sure your words, body language and actions are reflective of a kind heart. The words we use and how we interact with one another during the stressful and busy moments of our work day have a significant impact on: Engagement Retention Quality of Care Make sure your words, body language and actions are reflective of a kind heart.

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