Practicing acceptance at work is ultimately about embracing people for who they are (including yourself!). Here are the top 10 hacks we recommend to help you cultivate acceptance in the workplace.

Top 10 Hacks for Practicing Acceptance at Work

Hack #1: Practice non-judgment for an hour a day. There’s a reason we’re using the word “practice” — non-judgment is hard, especially at first! If this is new territory for you, try it for just a few minutes a day. Gradually build up to an hour. If you find yourself immediately forming an opinion or judgment, acknowledge it and gently draw your mind to an objective view (observe, don’t react). 

Hack #2: Let your team’s style fly high! Support your team’s creative ideas and unique approaches. Put that “red pen” away, and go with their ideas unless it will bring the house down. Table any arbitrary decisions and “status quo” thinking. Embrace new ways of doing things and celebrate your employees’ outside-the-box thinking.

Hack #3: Attribute positive intention. Increase your understanding of others and see your relationships soar. Assume your colleagues want good things and are trying their best. Do this for just one day, and your world will start to turn pink (thanks, rose-colored glasses!). We’re guessing you’ll enjoy the view!

Read more about the power of positive thinking (part of which is attributing positive intention) in these two articles: Mayo Clinic’s “Positive Thinking: Reduce Stress by Eliminating Negative Self Talk” and “How a Positive Attitude at Work Can Improve Your Career”

Hack #4: Celebrate what is going right! It’s easy to fixate on what is going wrong. So next time you find yourself speaking negatively about a person or situation, stop. Take a breath. Switch your focus. Ask yourself: what is going right? What is my team bringing to the table (vs what is lacking)? This opens the door to creativity and good feelings. And that pays off, we promise! 

Hack #5: Speak about others as if they were listening. When you talk about a colleague — especially if you’re saying something potentially hurtful — choose your words carefully. How would you speak about them if you knew they were listening, reading your email, etc? You never know if your conversation will be overheard or repeated. Take the high road and speak with kindness!

Hack #6: Spend time getting to know your team. Invite them to coffee. Compliment their style. Ask about their tattoos. Find out what kind of food they like, what kind of music they listen to, and what you have in common. The more we make an effort to get to know the people we work with, the more accepted they will feel!

Accepting others in the workplace is about seeing them as a unique human being and embracing who they are. 

Hack #7: Accept yourself first, so you can accept others. According to this article on PositivePsychology.com entitled “16 Self-Acceptance Exercises & Activities for Adults”, “Self-acceptance is the ability to see oneself as a whole person with virtues and flaws.” When you accept yourself, you will find it easier to accept others. The more you give yourself a break, the more capacity you will have to go easier on others, too.

“Be yourself. Everyone else is taken.” – Oscar Wilde 

Hack #8: Communicate with kind and positive language. Great listening skills + great communication = great relationships! So, when speaking with your colleague, listen actively. Practice empathy. Be mindful of nonverbal communication. Choose encouraging words that convey support, respect, and positivity. Your colleagues will feel valued and accepted, and that will have a ripple effect!

Hack #9: Welcome everyone with a smile! Want to make your team feel accepted? Show that you’re happy to see them! Teams are happier (and more productive) when everyone is connecting and doing work together. So leave no one out — be a ray of sunshine, greet everyone with a smile, and watch your team come to life!

Hack #10: Be inclusive with invitations. Nobody wants to feel left out, including your team. So be inclusive! Are you going to lunch? Make it an open invitation. Running for coffee? Pick up a drink for anyone who wants it (not just your favorite colleague). Is a team member interested in a specific project? Invite them to participate. When we feel wanted and welcome at work, we build community and thrive together.

Are you game? Use these 10 hacks to work on practicing acceptance, and watch your workplace transform!

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At The Human Priority, we believe in high collaboration, high trust, high respect. We believe in creating workplaces where you can have co-conversations and a sense of community. This is what creates the Workplace Fairytale! This is where people come together and do awesome, great, phenomenal things together. We can help you accomplish this! Learn more about our business consulting services.