Generosity in the workplace is an underrated and overlooked quality that makes managers effective leaders. It is generally considered a by-product, an afterthought, a “nice-to-have” characteristic but never a must-have. 

What Does Generosity Mean at the Workplace?

When we think of generosity, our thoughts automatically go to gifts, charity, or money. In the context of leadership, these gifts do not require a monetary value, but their value goes beyond that. These include giving your peers a chance, giving someone the benefit of the doubt, and creating a comfortable environment for others to work with you. It involves being lenient when needed, giving people room to make mistakes, and providing them with all the necessary resources for the job. 

Tips to Be Generous at Work

Avoid Gatekeeping 

To be a generous manager, you should avoid hoarding all the information, tips, and tricks; it makes you look conniving and power-hungry. Keep your team members updated about where things are and what's coming. Make sure that the people you work with have all the necessary information to make well-informed decisions. Before assigning duties to your subordinates, communicate your expectations with them, so there is little room for error. 

Besides being a good communicator, be a generous leader in terms of guidance. Set your team up for success by showing them the right way to do things, sharing your insights and success secrets, and motivating them to be their best. Imparting your knowledge onto others will not make you any less good at your job, so do not feel threatened. 

Give Due Credit 

People love to be recognized for their efforts. As a leader, go ahead and give credit for a job well done or an excellent effort. It costs nothing to be nice, but the quality can reap long-term benefits like team loyalty and high levels of team morale. So shoot that appreciation email to the top-performing team member or organize a small pizza party to recognize the efforts of your team. 

Be a Good Mentor 

Be gracious with your expertise and time and contribute wholeheartedly to the collective learning of your team members and fellow managers. Don’t let all your knowledge, skills, and experience go to waste. Share your failures and achievements, offer guidance, and give feedback as often as you can. Take the time to groom your junior team since your career highs and lows are equally important to them.

Praise People Individually but Take Responsibility for Failure Collectively 

It is important to praise people by mentioning their names separately so they can feel accomplished and others will be motivated as well. On the other hand, avoid blaming them individually, so they do not feel the pressure and embarrassment for making a mistake. A simple use of "we" rather than "she" can strengthen a sense of unity among team members and will not create feelings of alienation. 

Summing Up 

Generosity is also about giving team members authority that goes hand in hand with responsibility. This means giving them credit where it’s due, guiding them, and truly wanting them to succeed.