Why Is Being Respected in the Workplace So Important?
Creating a respectful workplace can be tricky! It's important to break down what 'respect, trust, and support' really mean and what these behaviors look like in our day-to-day interactions. Having open conversations is key to understanding how to build an environment that encourages these behaviors, sets clear expectations that hold everyone accountable, and explores ways to get relationships back on track when misunderstandings happen.
I’m also reminded that disagreeing with someone doesn't necessarily mean you're being disrespectful. Talking about how to share differing opinions respectfully is crucial for creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and can do their best work.
Here are some wise strategies shared by Dr. Peter and Susan Glaser in their recent LinkedIn post: (https://www.The Glasers.com)
The Science of Employee Respect.
Employees crave respect, and most leaders agree it’s important. So why do so many employees feel disrespected? New research suggests that leaders don’t fully understand what respect entails.
In a recent Georgetown University’s survey of nearly 20,000 employees worldwide, respondents ranked respect as the most important leadership behavior. Yet, employees report more disrespectful and uncivil behavior each year. What accounts for this disconnect?
Writing in the Harvard Business Review, Kristie Rogers, an associate professor of management at Marquette University, draws on her extensive research into the subject and advises: “In all but the most toxic workplaces, building a respectful organization does not demand an overhaul of HR policies...What’s needed is ongoing consideration of the subtle but important ways [that] respect can be conveyed.”
7 Actionable Examples of How Respect Can Be Conveyed:
Establish a baseline of “owed respect”. Every employee should feel their innate dignity is valued.
Customize each employee’s “earned respect”. Connect individual contributions to specific achievements, measuring performance against an objective standard.
Convey respect in your observable work behavior: Do this through active listening, remaining open to advice, and encouraging creativity.
Recognize ripple effects: The respect shown to employees will cascade down to customers, industry partners, and the community.
Know that respect is infinite. Respect is not finite; it can be given to one employee without shortchanging others.
See respect as a time saver, not waster. Respect is best embedded in our normal interactions. Be present for others, listen, and affirm their value.
Know when misplaced efforts to display respect can backfire. Don't be inconsistent or insincere —because employees see honesty as a prime component of respect.
Want to explore how to support your employees and create a workplace where people feel valued and respected? Let’s continue the conversation….