Forgiveness in the Business World

Photo by Jakub Pierożyński on Unsplash

Forgiveness is something that is often talked about in spiritual or therapeutic worlds. In churches there are discussions about aspiring to turn the other cheek and in counseling offices therapists guide clients to let go of past hurts.  

Forgiveness can be a tricky concept to embrace and is so often easier said than done. Think about an experience in your past with a school bully or a bad relationship. Many of us will still flush with emotion and have a tremor in our voice when we talk about these experiences years later. 

Forgiveness is not about excusing or minimizing what someone did. It is also not about just offering or accepting an apology.  It is instead about changing the nature of our relationship to the emotion that we attach to a person or event. Staying in a heightened state of distress doesn’t have any impact on the object of our frustration. The only negative effect is on us. When we hold on to grudges it denies us peace and the ability to move forward.  

Reflecting on these concepts, as we said, is commonplace in the hallowed halls of worship spaces or counseling centers but what about the workplace?

As we go through our work day, do we think of forgiveness in the same way as we do in our personal lives? 

Probably not. It is easier to create boundaries at work and say things to ourselves like, “I only have to work with this person, I can figure out a way to get through the day”. And while that is very true, cultivating the practice of forgiveness will allow you to achieve more satisfaction from your business relationships and reap the workplace benefits that forgiving provides. Forgiveness has been correlated with higher productivity, decreased absenteeism and fewer reports of physical and mental health issues.

What is it about forgiveness that yields these benefits? It does it in a variety of ways.

Enhances Workplace Culture: When there is an environment of forgiveness people feel well cared for. This translates into people being willing to support and build each other up.  Rather than holding on to frustrations which can poison team productivity, forgiving creates an environment where people work diligently to maintain strong, positive relationships.

Supports Collaboration: When forgiveness is embedded in the culture, teams are more energized and cohesive. They are willing to be more open, seek out consultation and strive to achieve team goals. 

Promotes Learning and Creativity: Knowing that they are in a safe and supportive environment diminishes an employee’s fear of failure. Rather than avoiding having an error come to light, team members trust that they will be treated respectfully and come to see failure as an opportunity for growth. This team dynamic creates incubators for innovation.

Improves Conflict Resolution: When a culture is created where forgiveness is a value, conflicts are more easily resolved and this allows teams to refocus their energies on meeting their objectives. 

Strengthens Leadership: We have written before on the values of humble leadership. A key element of humble leadership is the ability to not only apologize but to give those around you a fresh start. This models emotional intelligence which often results in increased employee loyalty.

Forgiveness has a place in all facets of our life. It clears relational roadblocks making way for healthier, happier and more productive connections with those around us. It is definitely one of those skills that need time and attention to master. Before you can put forgiveness into action you have to understand what can get in the way and that is where we will turn to in our next blog.