Latest news with #helpingothers
CBS News
3 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
Teen jumps in to help Burger King coworkers on his graduation night and is rewarded with big donations
Donations pour in for teen who helped coworkers at Burger King after graduation Dacula, Georgia — At a Burger King in Dacula, Georgia, 18-year-old Mykale Baker is known for his whopper of a work ethic. He shows up early, stays late, and looks at every shift like a privilege. "I like helping people and not expecting anything back from it," Baker told CBS News. "That's just me." That work ethic created some good karma for Baker. "I knew that all the good I put out there is going to come back to me somehow," Baker said. Baker's high school graduation night arrived in May. He left the ceremony and dropped by Burger King for a late meal. That is when he noticed his colleagues were absolutely swamped with orders. At this point, most teens would have just been glad they had the night off and been on their way. But instead, Baker did what Baker does. "I wasn't even clocked in," Baker said. "I just put gloves on and said, 'What do you all need help with?'" So, with his graduation sash and medals still draped around his neck, Baker hopped on the line. The whole thing was caught on camera by customer Maria Mendoza, who just could not believe her eyes. "There's not a lot of people who are like that," Mendoza said. "…Thirteen years of school, you graduate. The last thing I would think is somebody would go to work!" Mendoza was so impressed, that she posted the video online and started a crowdfunding campaign to reward Baker for his integrity and dedication. The campaign has raised more than $200,000. Baker plans to use that money to go trade school become a master auto mechanic and eventually open his own shop. The Burger King Foundation later surprised Baker with $10,000. The foundation also gave Mendoza $10,000 for her daughter, Daizie, who also just graduated high school. Baker said his mother, Demeshiah Scott, always taught him to work hard, even if you think no one is watching, because you never know when someone is.
Free Malaysia Today
4 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
At work, not all help is perceived the same way
The way people express emotions while helping others can influence whether their assistance is welcomed, resented, or reciprocated. (Envato Elements pic) PARIS : Imagine an employee who spontaneously offers to help an overworked colleague. If this is done with empathy and discretion, there's a good chance the gesture will be gratefully received. But if this help is accompanied by a condescending tone or a smug attitude, it risks provoking unease and even rejection. Such are the findings of a US study by Stephen Lee, assistant professor of management at Washington State University's Carson College of Business, in collaboration with the University of Washington. Their findings are clear: when gratitude or sympathy accompany help, it is perceived as sincere, and the resulting relationships are stronger and more enduring. But if help is accompanied by excessive pride or contempt, it inspires more mistrust and limits the chances of reciprocation. 'It's not just whether you help, but HOW you help, and the emotions you express, that shape how people respond,' Lee said. In an environment where mutual aid is often encouraged, the emotion expressed becomes a key indicator in the eyes of those who receive a helping hand. If they perceive genuine motivation, they'll be more inclined to trust and cooperate in turn. To come to this conclusion, the researchers combined data from three separate experiments, supplemented by a pilot study. Drawn from the professional and academic worlds, the participants shared memories of mutual support, reacted to roleplaying situations, or took part in lab-based exercises. In all configurations, 'socially engaging' emotions fostered perceptions of prosocial motives, stronger relationships, and greater willingness to reciprocate. Encouraging gratitude and humility in working relationships helps foster solidarity among colleagues. (Envato Elements pic) These observations qualify the idea that all help is naturally welcomed; employees decode the intentions behind such gestures. Help perceived as motivated by altruism or benevolence strengthens cohesion, but if it appears self-serving or forced, it can have the opposite effect. Managers would do well to take this into account. For example, 'snowplough managers', who struggle to delegate to their team, end up depriving others of autonomy and learning opportunities. This well-intentioned but overprotective or directive stance can make their help feel cumbersome, even counterproductive. Creating a genuine culture of mutual aid requires sincere concern for others, without encouraging helping behaviour for its own sake. Encouraging gratitude, listening, and humility in working relationships helps to foster solidarity among coworkers. As for employees, this study invites them to reflect on their own ways of helping. Recalling past experiences, trying to put yourself in the other person's shoes, or observing the reactions provoked by your behaviour are useful exercises to help identify the right attitudes and approaches to take. This could help build stronger professional relationships and a more cohesive team.
The Independent
08-05-2025
- General
- The Independent
Wartime star Dame Vera Lynn would want young people to help others
The daughter of forces sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn has stressed the importance of 'duty' for young people and said her mother would have thought it is 'very important' they help others. Dame Vera lifted troops' spirits with concerts in Egypt, India and Burma during the war in which she sang songs including The White Cliffs Of Dover and We'll Meet Again, which were heard at the Westminster Abbey service on Thursday. She died in 2020 aged 103, having had a celebrated career as a singer and entertainer that spanned more than 90 years. Her daughter Virginia Lewis-Jones was at the VE Day 80th anniversary party at the Royal Albert Hall when she spoke to the PA news agency. Asked about lessons for the younger generation, Ms Lewis-Jones told PA: 'I think that if they can learn that duty is very important, that if you can do anything to help anybody please do so. 'It doesn't matter if it's Gertrude next door who needs her shopping done or whatever, but it's very, very important for the young people to help other people as much as possible'. That is what her mother 'would have thought, and that's what I think as well', she added. The Royal Albert Hall party, presented by the SSAFA Armed Forces charity in association with the Daily Mail, heard music from the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra as well as a performance from Strictly Come Dancing star Nadiya Bychkova. Ms Lewis-Jones told PA: 'Obviously this is an extremely, extremely important day – it should always be remembered. 'Especially for the young people to remember what people sacrificed for them for today, and the freedoms that we've got now are purely due to the people that not only fought, and did a lot of other things in the background of the war, but also afterwards.' She added: '80th anniversary, you know there won't be a lot of veterans left for the next 10 years so it's a very, very important day and my mother would have reiterated that and said how important that was. 'She was very keen on young people to be able to appreciate what happened during and after the war as well.' Dame Vera worked with many charities to ensure people were aware of the events before, during and after the Second World War, Ms Lewis-Jones added. She is currently fundraising for a memorial to her mother to be installed near the White Cliffs of Dover. It will also pay tribute to other artists who travelled the world boosting moral by entertaining troops and families. Dame Vera was born March 20 1917 and started singing in working men's clubs at seven years old. During the war she captured the hearts of the nation with her uplifting musical performances and recordings. In 2017, aged 100, Dame Vera became the oldest living artist to be in the UK's album chart top 10.
