Talent Management

24/7/365 Respect @ Work!

By LeeAnn Bailes Foster

Respect all day, every day? Are you serious? Yes – 24.7.365! Often times in the workplace we act in a disrespectful manner and do not even know we are doing so. Self-awareness is the very first step towards being Emotionally Intelligent. What are you doing in the workplace that is unknowingly and unwillingly disrespectful?

After reading this article your work environment will improve, performance and behavior will begin to connect, and vulnerability will be appreciated. Read on to learn how to be someone who makes someone else look forward to tomorrow!

A survey conducted by Chart Your Course International revealed the following:

To improve your workplace environment what would you like to see your supervisions/managers do?

Better Communication – 77%
Show more appreciation – 70%
Reward performance – 57%
Set the example – 55%
Show genuine concern – 50%
Handle performance problems – 42%

Every one of these topics directly points to creating a work environment of respect. I love the 212- degree graphic below. Just one degree makes the water boil to create the steam to power a train. Do you inspire that one degree of extra effort at your workplace?

Also, studies at the Carnegie Institute of Technology concluded that approximately 15% of a person’s financial success is due to technical knowledge and the other 85% is due to the ability to get along with and lead other people. WOW! Are you telling me I just need to be respectful to others to have a much better chance of being successful? Yes, I am!

Let’s learn the positive results of being respectful in the workplace:

#1 Result of Workplace Respect = An Improved Work Environment

360-Degree Wellness: Hurting people hurt people. That is very sad, but true. In order to create an improved work environment, we must improve how we feel. If we are stressed and burnt out, we will detract from the positivity of the work environment instead of inspiring it. We must be well in each of these areas to move forward at a healthy rate:

Physical – get rest, exercise, and eat well
Occupational – do meaningful work
Environmental – care for the land
Social/Cultural – get connected
Emotional – learn adequate coping skills
Intellectual – learn at all times; at least 5.5 hours/week
Spiritual – believe in a higher power

Eliminate Swearing: If there is a chance someone in the office we will be offended, do not do it. Being offended is the same feeling as being disrespected. Put a ‘Swear Jar” on your desk. When a co-worker uses profanity, fine him $1.00. Then, use the money for an office Pizza Day.

Grow Trust to Shrink Tension: As tension grows, trust is decreased. Learn to feel when the tension is rising in a meeting or a conversation; then react accordingly.

Reduce Non-Verbal Disrespect: Do you recognize any of these examples from your workplace? Be aware of these things and lead by example by stomping them out.

Eye rolling
Paperless copy machine
Dirty dishes in the sink
Over-flowing garbage can
Loud voices
Unkept bathroom facilities

Enforce E-mail Rules: Two simple rules regarding e-mail will greatly improve your level of workplace respect.

Acknowledge all e-mails within 24-hour, period.

The 3 strikes and you are out rule: After an e-mail is sent back and forth three times, get out of your chair and go see the person or pick up the phone a call the person.

And, finally – Give ‘em a Champion: When a co-worker needs your assistance, give him your very best. Serve everyone equally. Go one step further every time. Show her you truly care and respect her.

#2 Result of Workplace Respect = Connected Performance and Behavior

The Job Description: Change the first bullet point of each job description to this –

“50% of your job responsibility is to behave and perform in a way to helps our company create and maintain a positive and encouraging work environment.”

On the performance review, list this as one of the Top 5 duties/responsibilities that you are closely measuring. Talk about the positive and encouraging work environment in team meetings, company meetings, and one-to-ones meetings.

Insist on these Minimal Requirement: Genuinely smile at each other, especially if a co-worker has his head down. And, use your manners:

Say “Please!”
Say “Thank you”
Be polite
Do not interrupt
Raise your hand to speak in meetings
And, do all the other things your Grandma taught you!

Lastly, H.A.L.T.: If you are Hungry, Angry, Lonely, and/or Tired, stop what you are doing, regroup; then, move forward.

#3 Result of Workplace Respect = Appreciated Vulnerability

Begin Celebrating Mistakes: This is one of Team Foster Strategy’s favorite programs to share with clients. Believe in and teach the following concepts:

Let’s make better makes tomorrow – live and learn. The only way to grow is to step out of the comfort zone into the growth zone. Mistakes will be made there. Get comfortable being uncomfortable. Change the anxious adrenaline to excited adrenaline.
There are no mistakes, only lessons – Stretch yourself, goof up; then, learn from the experience.
Share your mistakes to help others – As soon as you possibly can, inform your co-workers of the mistake you made so it will not be repeated. Include them is finding the best possible solution.

Engrain the Stakeholder Mentality: All stakeholders, the staff, owners/board members, customers, suppliers, and the community are equally needed and important. Make sure everyone knows this. Again, respect everyone equally. We cannot do business without each one of these stakeholders holding up a piece of the sky!

Display High Confidence and Low Ego: Let’s face it, BIG egos are most often times disrespect at best. To invoke a respectful workplace, check your ego at the door. Bring your healthy confidence with you.

And, Make Me Glad I Am Me When I See You: Read this statement again, please. Do not compare one co-worker to another. Doing so will cause resent. Compare me to only me. Help me to be the best me I can be. We are here to love, not to judge. Each person has a different background. It is impossible for us to understand them all. Be inclusive! As we all know, the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing. Simply put – to create and maintain a workplace of 24.7.365 Respect, work harder than anyone else and be courteous. Think before you speak. Breathe deeply before you act. And, display a little patience with others along the way.