In case you missed it, a kindergarten teacher’s video of her class’s “Greeting” practice recently went viral across news and social platforms. This kind of behaviour isn’t just for kindergarteners – it can be used to build trust in the workplace!
In the school, every day one student greets his fellow students, who enter the classroom in a line. They give a handshake and a smile, and sometimes a hug. The teacher believes this starts the day off right, bringing more positivity into the classroom.
She’s right! In fact, neuroscience proves it.
Touch is a mechanism we have built into social behaviour for centuries. Physical touch activates the reward circuitry in the brain and generates a feeling of general safety. Psychologists have found that in groups of people, when the right kind of touch is practiced (welcome touching only, people!), oxytocin is released, and trust and cooperation increase.
In my recent course on the Science of Happiness, Berkeley’s Dacher Keltner shared a study that he, Michael W. Kraus and Cassy Huang, did together. They studied 12 different types of touch on basketball teams. Closely watching one early season game with every team, they took 17 hours per game to code behaviours, from fist bumps to high fives, to chest bumps and hugs. Ultimately, they found that the teams with higher touch levels early in the season had a better win-loss record and higher scoring record at the end of the year. Players who touched more fared better as far as winning behaviours, like assists, rebounds and points.
Hugs and High Fives at Work
In the workplace, I’ve recently noticed several companies using high fives and cheers to welcome new employees. At 360Insights, when new team members start, they experience a cheering section, complete with megaphone and tons of high fives. 360Insights has won numerous awards for their culture and engagement, including being named the #1 best place to work in Canada by the Great Place To Work Institute, and ranking in the top four for five years running.
In Texas, web hosting company WP Engine does something similar. A quick peek at their website shows they’ve won several “best place to work” and “top employers” awards, too. Could this small act of brain-boosting have a tiny part to play?
What if we increased the level of touch in our workplaces?
As I suggest this, I want to remind everyone that the #metoo and #timesup movement are about serious sexual assault and harassment, not non-sexual hugs, well-intentioned greetings and touch. Ok, with that out of the way…
Boost Trust at Your Workplace
Want to start boosting oxytocin and trust at work? Consider your culture and what makes the most sense, but here are a few ideas.
- The next time you’re having a meeting, start with handshakes or hugs.
- Host a hugathon.
- Hold a speed-dating like event with employees meeting others that they may not ordinarily work with, and have them start their “date” with high fives or handshakes.
- High five your colleagues when you complete a project, or even just when you walk into work.
Let me know what sorts of behaviour changes you notice – my hope is that you experience greater cooperation, positivity, psychological safety and trust.
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