Identity and values to drive respect for people: a case study based on embedding kindness as an organizational value

In this chapter, the authors present their case for kindness and share their experiences in embedding kindness as a workplace value – encouraging everyone to make kindness a key part of their daily life. In Bournemouth University, service excellence is at the core of all authors' continuous improvement activity and the their actions to deliver a great student experience. Kindness, care and respect for people are a core part of our identity and strongly influence our beliefs, values and our motivation. A newly formed Kindness Steering Group encouraged staff to collaborate across many kindness-focused projects and where possible to secure funding to take forward research or practice-based ideas. The analysis of the full survey highlighted for the authors that staff are making a more conscious effort to make kindness part of their daily life, and importantly staff and students want to be actively involved in kindness initiatives. The kindness wall was implemented to recognise, celebrate and treasure human acts of kindness.