The Professional Value of Chocolate

I love chocolate, there’s a good chance you love chocolate, and if you don’t love chocolate, you know someone who does.

Chocolate has been a key part of my career development plan. I have 2–10 bags of See’s candy chocolate balls — milk and dark — that I freely give out to people who deserve them, need them, should have them, or have something to celebrate.

Why spend so much money on chocolate (probably $500+ annually)? It’s a gift that I love to give, and if they are individually wrapped chocolate balls, the gift can also be shared. So even if you don’t like chocolate, you can share the love with someone else who does, and they can continue to pay it forward.

If it’s someone’s first day, last day, birthday, work anniversary, or they are just doing a great job, it’s always nice to have a bag of their favorite type of chocolate to share (or if you’re running low at least a few chocolate balls). People will remember you, and it’s usually with a positive impression.

I was inspired to do this by some friends and mentors who recognized me with small gifts — in some cases a business book, a card, or a plant for my desk. They actively gifted something that shared their kind spirit with me. I chose to do the same but with chocolate.

I find it is especially important to recognize people who are frequently overlooked, like executive assistants, cafeteria workers, maintenance, and environmental services. The kindness always comes back around in ways I could not predict, whether that’s the best food, extra help with my office transition, a little extra effort on a key project, or time on an executive’s calendar.

If you’re the first person who is kind to someone (or the first in a long time) it improves not only life for that one person but for everyone else around them. When we feel good, it often spreads to other people. People cut you a little slack if they feel appreciated. It also just feels good to give.

I’ve seen my career grow at El Camino Health and I feel like chocolate had something to do with it, helping to change a culture of individualism and solo accountability to one where people feel appreciated and can share that appreciation with others — all in the form of chocolate balls.

Here’s how to do it, buy See’s gift cards at Costco to give yourself a slight discount, then get a 60/40 breakdown of dark to milk chocolate. I’ve found more people like dark chocolate because it is “healthier”. I recommend going with the good stuff — Halloween candy, and other cheap types of chocolate that people can get anywhere doesn’t have the same impact as something special from a dedicated chocolatier. You can go with whatever you like, or your local gourmet chocolate shop, but take it to the next level.

I grew up with chocolate as “Vitamin C” and it has been a key vitamin for my career growth as I’ve settled into the El Camino healthcare system. Plus, a little chocolate has been shown to be healthy (very nutritious, lots of antioxidants, lowers blood pressure, may reduce risk of heart disease, could improve brain function, etc.) so really, I’m looking out for people’s wellness too.

If you’re looking to advance your career, I recommend chocolate.

Side note, it’s good to have some fancy peppermints or sugar filled candies just in case chocolate isn’t getting you there.