It may not seem like a big deal to look out for your coworkers, but when you consider that many are fighting their own silent battles, it really puts things into perspective. A colleague could be having health issues, a family crisis, or simply a bad day. Most people don’t even openly share with their employer if they’re feeling stressed at work.

“We all have different struggles, and yet kindness is something that everybody wants. It is a universal language that can help us communicate during times where there’s a lot of translation going on,” says Adrienne Bankert, ABC correspondent and author of Your Hidden Superpower: The Kindness That Makes You Unbeatable at Work and Connects You With Anyone.

Adrienne credits kindness as the reason she landed her job at ABC News. The general manager acknowledged that while Bankert’s resume was strong, it wasn’t the sole factor that impressed her. Instead, after speaking with a woman who knew Adrienne throughout her career, the manager came away with a sense of how she interacted with others. “I can teach you how to be a better writer, or be a better reporter,” she told Adrienne, “but I cannot teach ‘nice’. That is what we need more of in this business.”

“Our kind self is our best self,” thinks Adrienne. “Our individual kindness, our voice, our gestures are like our fingerprint.”

Truthfully, a positive attitude can transform a workplace. Studies show that employees who are friendly and respectful to each other have 26% more energy, 36% more satisfaction with their job, and 44% more commitment to their organization. Moreover, when people feel supported and valued, they are more likely to be productive and deliver high-quality work. This encouraging environment creates a safe space where employees feel comfortable sharing ideas and taking risks.

“Humans are a very cooperative species,” explains Dr. Oliver Scott Curry, Chief Science Officer at Kindness.org. “Kindness in all of its various forms is a way of kickstarting that cooperation.”

A recent study by Kindness.org, in collaboration with Beekman 1802, found that employees naturally gravitate towards workplaces where people are treated well. For instance, 77% of respondents said they are more likely to apply for jobs that list “kindness” as a key company value. 74% also reported that it’s important for them to have managers who check in on their team members, offering both professional and personal support. And, surprisingly, kindness at work appears to be a bigger predictor of happiness than income.

And it’s no wonder kindness is so highly valued. Dr. Kathryn Greiner writes that its impact extends to tangible physical benefits. It acts as a natural stress reliever, lowering cortisol levels and blood pressure. When we do something nice for others, our brains get a boost too. Pleasure and reward centers light up, releasing hormones like endorphins and dopamine, leaving us feeling warm and fuzzy on the inside.

Moreover, good deeds are contagious, research proves. They spark a ripple effect, one person helping another, then another. When someone experiences kindness, they’re more likely to pass it on, creating a wave of cooperation that can influence many people within a social circle.

It’s even more meaningful when this attitude spreads to leadership levels. Three in five employees believe that kind management is the reason they want to stay at their company longer than they originally planned.

“Kindness is a choice, and we all have a choice,” says Dr Bonnie Hayden Cheng, an associate professor at Hong Kong University Business School. In Hong Kong, society is more hierarchical, bureaucratic, and traditional, which can hinder compassion and empathy in the corporate space. However, Dr. Cheng argues that these elements can make for an effective leadership strategy.

“[It] doesn’t mean you have to lower your standards,” she emphasizes. “You can still have high expectations, you can still hold your people accountable, but you’re doing so with kindness as the underpinning factor that allows your people to trust your decisions, knowing that you have their best interests at heart.”

In Harvard Business Review, Andrew Swinand, entrepreneur and CEO of the Inspired Thinking Group, shares his tips on promoting workplace kindness. Start with yourself: prioritize your own well-being, because it directly affects those around you. This might involve setting boundaries, like avoiding non-urgent work emails after hours, or taking a mental health day to recharge. When you’re well-rested, you have more energy to be a great teammate.

Be intentional and sincere in your interactions with colleagues. Let them know you’re actively listening by remembering details they’ve shared, like their pet at home or their recent move. Ask follow-up questions and maybe even rephrase what they’ve said to show that you’re being attentive.

Sarah Goff-Dupont, Principal Writer at Atlassian, suggests that small actions can make a difference. For example, something simple like inviting new coworkers to grab lunch or coffee is a great way to welcome them. Take note of your colleagues’ interests: if you see an article they’d love or an album that fits their vibe, send it their way. Highlighting their achievements is also easy—leave a personal recommendation on LinkedIn to show you care about their work.

So, you don’t have to be incredibly elaborate to think of ways to support your coworkers. Make kindness a part of your lifestyle and see how your office becomes a happier place for everyone.