Our employees share 50 ways you can make a difference at work, within the CPA community, and beyond.
Great communities and workplaces are built one act at a time.
The CPA community is full of heart and dedication. Below, our employees share 50 simple ways we can all make a difference—at work, amongst CPA colleagues, and beyond.
Create Positive Spaces
- Lead with kindness and empathy while creating a positive and supportive environment.
- Make space for quieter voices even when louder ones dominate.
- If you genuinely appreciate something or someone, say it out loud.
- Be welcoming of new perspectives.
- Find ways to accomodate those with invisible disabilities who navigate the world differently.
- Continually educate yourself on how to be a better ally.
- Be a role model for transparency and honesty.
- Remember that everyone is going through something. We’re all human.
- Maintain an open-door (and “open-phone”) policy for listening.
- Always have enough room for one more at your table.
Communicate with Empathy and Kindness
- Validate others’ feelings without trying to fix them.
- Be an active listener.
- Be present.
- Make space for others to be heard.
- Be patient.
- Give people the benefit of the doubt.
- Listen before forming an opinion.
- Be clear and kind even when the message is difficult.
- Offer gratitude. It’s a superpower!
- Build others up. Offer encouragement, especially if they’re losing faith in themselves.
Volunteer or Donate
- Consider mentoring a student or sharing your experiences with someone who looks up to you.
- Volunteer to sit on a board or committee in your community.
- Donate to children’s sporting activities.
- If you have an opportunity to volunteer, use it.
- Consider donating to charities in third-world countries.
- Make a home-cooked meal for someone who might need it.
- Support those experiencing homelessness by making sandwiches, bringing coffee, or donating warm items.
- Be generous when no one is watching.
- Sometimes, people don’t know how to ask for help. Drop off food anyways. Send a giftcard, resources, or positive affirmations to those going through challenging or stressful times.
- Be the first the raise your hand and help out.
Demonstrate Support and Appreciation
- Say “thank you” often and with sincerity.
- Celebrate progress and recognize efforts, not just outcomes.
- Remember to recognize and support elders all year round.
- Say “thank you” for things that are usually taken for granted.
- Look for opportunities to ensure people have access to the care and support they need, when they need it.
- Leave a good review, and name drop if possible.
- Be extra kind to retail workers, especially during the holiday season. It costs nothing to be kind!
- Recognize someone’s efforts when they don’t expect it.
- Be grateful, even when things don’t go your way.
- Say something. Instead of just thinking, “Wow, they’re doing a great job,” say it to them. You never know how much of an impact it will have.
Take Action
- Be reliable. Respect other people’s time. If you say you’re going to be there, be there.
- Smile! Even if you don’t feel like it, a small gesture can have a huge impact on those around you.
- Take a moment to complete surveys.
- Don’t let the small things bother you. Process them and move forward.
- Shovel someone’s driveway.
- Spend time with your parents and the older generations.
- Look for small ways to help others—friends, co-workers, family, and even strangers—through small acts like holding doors.
- Let people merge, and wave when someone else lets you merge.
- Remember to connect. A simple phone call or text can go a long way.
- Check in with your people. Sometimes a simple check-in is what someone needs during a rough time.
Are you a CPA candidate, or a firm supporting CPA candidates? Find out how we’re supporting the next generation with our CPA Candidate Program.
