Change the World 9:00 5:00
50 actions to change the world at work

Contributed by Paul Edney (Director, We Are What We Do Canada) and adapted from: We Are What We Do (www.wearewhatwedo.org)

Most of us spend our waking lives working. This activity is about what we can do through our work to change the world. The ideas in this activity come from the book "Change the World 9-5" published by an organization called We Are What We Do. The book is full of suggestions and ideas to help you change the world at work and help make yourself and the people around you happier and healthier.

It's all based on the very simple formula:

Small changes x lots of people = BIG change

And if making the planet a happier, safer, more sustainable place isn't a good enough target, then there's even a business case. A 2005 poll showed that 82% of us believe it is important to buy from companies who share our concerns.

So imagine, believe and begin. Try one or all of the below 14 actions during Canada's Healthy Workplace Week to not only change your own world at work, but also help change the world while you work!

Click here for the PDF version available with a selection of the below actions (2 pages in length).

Say thanks Action # 97

'Thank you.'

These are quite possibly the nicest two words in the language. Because, like praise, gratitude is its' own virtue. It just works. You know when you get a note or even an email saying 'thank you'? How does it make you feel? Be sure to pass on the nice feeling.

FYI: 100% of Canadians would feel more appreciated if they were thanked.

Praise People Action # 59

• 'You're looking good today, CJ.'
• 'Great idea you had for the frozen fish client, Susan.'
• 'I'm so glad you're part of this meeting, Brian. You always make meetings come alive.'

Sincere praising is worth persevering because it makes everybody work better and it makes the workplace a whole lot happier. For instance, I told the people who came up with this action how much I liked it. They said how much they appreciated my views. We all felt a little more recognized than we had before.

Start a Carpool Action # 56

You can help the environment and make life a bit friendlier by figuring out how to share rides to and from work. Who knows you might find some new friends while saving the planet. That's like helping two wounded birds with one bandage.

The journey of a thousand steps begins with pulling on your runners and taking that first step.

FYI: Every day 10 million seats go empty on the road.

Don't be an Ideas Killer Action # 54

At Unilever they have an approach they call 'Build' i.e. build on what other people say, don't knock it down.

Commit to Build on your colleagues' ideas and see if you notice a difference.

Helpful ways to do this do NOT include the following:

• 'I think what Brian meant to say is this...'
• 'Great idea. Unfortunately, when Smallbottles tried it, it bankrupted them...'
• 'I love it. But what do I know? I'm as mad as a cow.'

Blow the whistle on bullying Action # 96

1 in 3 employees say they've been bullied at work. Bullying isn't okay in the schoolyard, and it isn't okay at work.

Practice Mobile Manners Action # 71

We've all seen it and yes, maybe some of us have been guilty of it ourselves. But the etiquette of using a mobile (cell, blackberry, etc) is pretty simple:

• Keep it quiet.
• Keep it short.
• And try to avoid it while you're meeting with others.

FYI: Currently there are approximately 18.5 million wireless phone subscribers in Canada compared with around 4 million in 1997 and around 2 million in 1994. (Statistics Canada & Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association)

Shut down your computer properly Action # 69

Yes, we know. It takes an extra minute but it makes a huge difference, and it's a small step everyone can take.

FYI: One computer left on all day results in the emission of 1,500 pounds of carbon dioxide in a year. It would take 100 to 500 trees to absorb that amount of extra carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere.

Take Breaks Action # 66

Stress is infectious. If you get stressed out, you'll pass it on to someone else.

So if you can avoid getting stressed out, you stop the vicious circle from starting. And the best way to do this is to take breaks.

You know all those books in the self-help section called things like 'Don't Sweat the Chicken Soup'? They all tell you to stop, take a deep breath, count to ten. They are right. Most of the time, you'll realize that the problem you're facing is something you've faced before or that it is something that isn't gonna kill you this time.

Leave work on time at least once a week Action # 73

When I see people leaving work bang on time, I think two things.

1. That person has got their priorities right. They'll probably live longer than me and have a happier life.
2. They've got no chance in hell of being the next CEO.

But the fact is, we should all leave work on time to spend time with our family or friends... or make time for yourself. Pack your things away and walk towards the door.

FYI:

1. On average, Canadians worked 536 minutes or 8.9 hours per working day in 2005, an increase from 506 minutes or 8.4 hours 20 years earlier. (Found at www.cbc.ca).
2. On average workers spent 45 minutes less with their family each work day in 2005 than they did two decades earlier. (www.statcan.ca)

Show Empathy Action # 77

If you've ever had to go through a divorce while sitting in a meeting to discuss next year's sales figures, you'll find a new meaning to the words 'hell on earth'.

Every day, with measureless heroism, people are dealing with all kinds of terrible things.

Just treat people with respect. Be aware that we are all sentient, suffering human beings. Be nice to each other as it is very likely that you do not know the whole story.

FYI: Depression is the fastest rising source of disability in Canada.

Choose your friends wisely Action # 80

All businesses need to buy in services. So, why not give your business to the ones who are more responsible and nicer people?

When are you happiest? When you hang around with people you like. It's a good concept generally known as 'friendship' and it works pretty well.

Extend this philosophy to the workplace and to the jobs you do or products you make be a business that is built on friendship, respect and trust. Imagine a day in the not too distant future, when all business is done like that.

FYI: When making a purchasing decision 82 per cent of us believe it is important that the supplier shows a high degree of social responsibility.

Know how you fit into the bigger picture Action # 99

When John Kennedy bumped into a janitor at NASA and asked him what he did, the man replied 'helping to put a man on the moon'.

That's a genuinely inspiring story.

And it raises the question: how many of us really understand the vision behind what we do in our working lives?

Incidentally, when the janitor asked Kennedy what HE was doing there, Kennedy apologized and admitted he'd walked into the ladies toilet by mistake.

Fail Action # 100

• It was Thomas Edison who said he invented the light bulb because he'd previously invented 99 things that weren't a light bulb.
• It was Oscar Wilde who said genius was 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.

We learn more from our mistakes than from our successes. Businesses make a "cult" of success, but the most successful people in the long run are the ones who aren't afraid to fail.

Send this to your boss Action # 90

Coming soon

In 2002, the Industrial Society found that 65% of businesses would change their policies if pushed by employees. Why not try?

From: Book: "Careers Un-Ltd" by Carmel McConnell & Jonathan Robinson

About "We Are What We Do"

We're non-profit but we're not a charity.

We're a company but not an institution.

What are we?

We are a movement. And we're on a mission:
To inspire people to use their everyday actions to change the world.
Whoever they are. And wherever they are.

We recently launched "Change the World for Ten Bucks" in Canada, it's got 50 simple actions that we figure pretty much everyone can do to make the world a better place.

World-wide the book has sold over half a million copies.

The idea for "We Are What We Do" originated in England, where they've recently launched a second book about changing the world at work... we thought you might be interested in hearing about it.

www.wearewhatwedo.org

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