by Travis Sheridan
One of the best ways to innovate is to change the words being used. If possible, use a neologism. Neologisms are words or phrases that have recently been coined to describe a new concept or to modernize an older term. The goal is to allow that new word to determine the path of the product, service or system being developed. Business is famous for creating and adopting new jargon. While many words become fodder for buzzword bingo, the intention is to aid in the communication of an idea. The creation of a new word or phrase is the perfect opportunity for innovative differentiation.
Businesses regularly try to create an environment in which morale is high and productivity is even higher. There are programs that promise to shift the cultural paradigm; however, the basic behaviors and attitudes are rarely outlined or supported. After participating in, observing and – embarrassingly – leading several morale-building efforts, I realized that organizations really need the morale-building behaviors to become second nature and spread like wildfire. They need an innovative way for kindness to become contagious.
Kindtagious seems to capture that sentiment. Kindtagious is defined as possessing a generous or warmhearted nature that is transmittable by direct or indirect contact. It is not a program, but it is an innovative way people within an organization can positively impact each other. The Kindtagious philosophy is best understood by highlighting what it is not.
Kindtagious is not paying it forward. The term “pay” leads a person to feel obligated to pass it on. When a person is the recipient of a kind act, it should come with no strings attached. There are many times when the recipient may not have the capacity to pay it forward. A Kindtagious act is about a person-to-person interaction. It is not a relay at the company BBQ.
Kindtagious is not a weapon. Have you ever heard about killing a person with kindness? That does not lead to a culture of kindness being built, nor does it build morale. Kindtagious is not a weapon of revenge. It is used to build others up.
Kindtagious does not discriminate. For an organization to experience widespread morale improvement, cultural and social boundaries must come down. It is human nature to gravitate to those most similar to ourselves, but one must understand that Kindtagious is transmittable across all people groups.
Kindtagious is not about personal gain. There is great intrinsic reward to being a Kindtagious person, but Kindtagious is not a means to ensure reciprocity of activity. In addition, the limelight is not the goal. Acts should be done in a stealthy fashion. You will find yourself smiling as you walk away.
Kindtagious is not random. A random act of kindness tends to lack ownership. To be Kindtagious, one must be deliberate. The more deliberate the act, the greater impact it will have on the recipient.
I created the word Kindtagious to make morale-building more tangible. I created it because I needed to innovate the way companies reshaped culture. There is a connection between the level of morale in an organization and the degree to which people are perceived to be kind. Sometimes it is helpful to develop a new term. This act of strategic creativity can lead to better understanding and implementation of a new concept. If you want to invent something new – culture, product or brand – it should be given a new name and a new identity. n
Travis Sheridan is the assistant vice president of innovation and entrepreneurship for the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership. A writer and speaker, he focuses on using innovation as a driver for economic and community development. Follow him on Twitter @TravisSheridan.
Submitted 9 years 353 days ago