At Holy Brook Associates, we pride ourselves on being ‘kind’ accountants, one of our clients only this week asked Rachel to pass back thanks to a colleague for her ‘kindness’. Financial performance is deeply connected to organisational culture and wellbeing.
Attending the ‘Working with Kindness’ workshop, hosted by Connect Reading and delivered by Sarah Browning of Time for Kindness, was a valuable experience for our University of Reading Intern, Pezo Chisala.
Kindness in the Workplace: More Than Just Being Nice
The workshop helps open eyes to what kindness in the workplace really means. It’s not just about being “nice” or friendly—it’s about being intentional, inclusive, and human in the way we lead, communicate, and support one another.
In fact, a Canadian study shared during the session found that encouraging kind behaviours in the workplace led to a 20% improvement in employee performance. Kindness, it turns out, is not only good for morale—it’s good for business.
The Ripple Effect of Kindness
One of the most powerful parts of the workshop focused on the ripple effect of kind acts. When one person performs a kind gesture—like helping someone with a small but meaningful task—it inspires others to do the same. The impact isn’t limited to the giver or the receiver; even those who witness kindness feel better and more connected. In fast-paced industries or high-pressure sectors, this emotional lift can make a huge difference.
What made the session truly practical were the simple, actionable strategies we can bring into our own workplace:
Kindness as a Leadership Strength
One major takeaway for our team was reframing kindness as a leadership skill. Far from being a soft or optional quality, kindness plays a critical role in effective communication, team engagement, and psychological safety. Research mentioned during the session found that job adverts listing ‘kindness’ as a company value attract significantly more applicants. In today’s competitive job market, workplace culture is a key differentiator.
Why Kindness Matters in the Charity and Nonprofit Sector
At Holy Brook, many of our clients operate in the charity, nonprofit, and social enterprise space—sectors that rely heavily on emotional intelligence, resilience, and community values. Attending this workshop gave us a deeper understanding of the day-to-day realities and cultural values that shape our clients’ work. It reminded us that understanding a client means understanding their mission, not just their finances.
Intern Reflection: Learning Beyond the Ledger
Pezo shares “As an intern early in my career in finance, I found this workshop to be both refreshing and eye-opening. It was an opportunity to learn about the emotional side of business, something that’s rarely covered in technical training. My favourite part? Sharing stories of kindness with other attendees and realising how easily we overlook everyday acts of generosity.
I left the session with a goal: “Be more attentive to my surroundings so I can compliment or support others when I see the chance.” This small shift in mindset is something I’m proud to carry into my work—and it’s something Holy Brook encourages through a strong, people-focused culture.”
Creating a Positive Workplace Culture with Kindness
The ‘Working with Kindness’ workshop showed us that kindness is a powerful driver of employee wellbeing and productivity. It fosters trust, strengthens teams, and helps people bring their best selves to work. And in a sector where every penny—and every person—counts, creating a culture of kindness isn’t just a nice extra. It’s a strategic advantage.
We’re grateful to Connect Reading and Sarah Browning for facilitating such an inspiring session. Both Connect Reading and Browning York are clients of Holy Brook – and it’s great to learn from as well as about our clients.
You can contact Sarah directly if you think this would be a workshop that could benefit your team
