Why Is Respect Important?

Respect is earned, not given, that is what we are told. From when we were small children all the way into adulthood, it is repeatedly impressed upon us that we have to be respectful towards one another and that some people are more deserving of respect than others.
However, what does this actually mean? So often, we discuss the need for respect but not the behaviours and actions that demonstrate respect.

Respect can prove to be one of the most important factors in a workplace. Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace report found that 15% of the global workforce is considered to be currently disengaged from their company’s goals and mission, and are therefore less likely to feel respected in their workplace.

Though it might seem old-fashioned to some, sitting down and working out what respect should look like in your workplace can reap benefits. Establish what respect looks like within your ideal positive work environment, and work to create a workspace where mutual respect amongst all employees is a given, regardless of rank.

Why should we show respect to others?

Firstly and most importantly, why should we show respect to others?

Respect creates a healthy environment where we can all thrive. Showing respect to one another is nothing short of common courtesy. If there is a certain way that you expect to be treated by peers, loved ones, and even complete strangers, you also need to make sure that you mirror that behaviour and treat others the same way.

No one likes to spend time around someone who demands respect from others but never offers it in return. This is doubled when that person is in a position of power over others. They will likely demand respect from others simply because they are in this high position. However, their actions and attitudes are not worthy of receiving respect.

Why is respect important in the workplace?

Respect is an important part of the workplace because it creates a space that everyone is happy to return to and deliver their best work. When employees feel respected, they will feel more engaged with their tasks and the overall mission of the company. They know that they will be trusted by management to deliver their tasks, whatever they might be.

Respect is, of course, also important for management. Though no manager should be considered a dictator within the company, they do need to show a certain level of authority to represent the business at a senior level. Employees need to respect managers so they, in turn, can do their job effectively. Again, this does not mean that a manager has to rule with an iron fist. However, even the most gentle of souls will have times when they have to lean on their team and ask a lot of them. Respect can help them to chase the results they need.

How do we show respect to one another in the workplace?

Though it is the same social interaction at its heart, showing respect in the workplace can look a little different to how we respect our friends and family. Knowing how to recognise and uplift respectful behaviour can help to transform everyone’s working environment.

Listening

It might seem basic, but choosing to listen to people actively is a great way to show you respect them. How often have you felt disrespected by someone not listening to you, only to then bring up the exact points you have made a few moments later? It is never a good feeling. Practising active listening is one of the easiest ways to show respect for someone’s thoughts and feelings.

Open communication

Open communication and collaboration are a must for any company regardless of their industry. By focusing on providing clear lines of communication, detailed briefs, and thoughtful replies, everyone can work towards greater harmony within the workplace. Clear deadlines can help people manage and achieve their tasks more comfortably, and they also feel able to speak up and ask for help or further clarification if needed, a great way to demonstrate self-respect and advocacy for each worker as individuals.

Supported decision-making

In a respectful environment, people’s decisions will be uplifted and supported. When someone makes a decision, whether they are a manager or lower, they deserve to have that decision acknowledged and supported by those around them.

A decision might end up being terrible, either on immediate scrutiny or in the long run, but it deserves to be acknowledged and supported in the moment. We cannot expect to create respectful and psychologically safe workplaces if we are not willing to support decisions when they are made.

Showing empathy

Empathy is an underrated trait in the world of business. Leaders need to show empathy to more effectively connect with their teams and build strong interpersonal relationships within their teams.

Giving space for needs

Everyone lives different lives and this will translate into varying levels of needs. Some employees might come to work and leave each day without ever needing support. Others might have disability or neurodiverse needs that must be respected if they are to complete their tasks efficiently. Others might need support due to issues in their personal lives bleeding into their professional. Showing respect to such employees can help them understand how valued they are within the company.

What does a respectful environment look like in the workplace?

If a business positions itself as being respectful, we must also recognise what a respectful environment looks like. A good environment is one where the following behaviours are normalised, intuitive, and not performative. When satisfaction and respect are high and natural, employee engagement may also rise. If you work in a respectful environment, you might find:

You feel safe to express yourself

You feel respected as a person and an individual on every level. This is not just about being able to speak up and offer your opinions (though this is essential in every fair environment and good workplace) but about being your authentic self. You should not feel like you have to code-switch or change your way of speaking when expressing yourself, and you should not feel the need to hide a part of yourself, such as your sexual orientation or gender identity. You will feel safe to be yourself.

You can admit when you make mistakes

We all make mistakes at work, and it is foolish to pretend otherwise. In a safe and respectful workplace, you will have space to make mistakes, and you won’t feel anxiety about admitting when you have messed up. The focus will then be placed not on punishing you, but on rectifying the situation and making sure it can’t happen again.

You feel safe talking about your wants and needs

You should never feel anxiety when approaching leadership about accommodations that will help meet your wants and needs. Whether you want more flexitime, some changes to workplace equipment, or you wish to use specific pronouns, you should feel safe while expressing these wants and needs.

No one talks over each other in meetings

It can be incredibly frustrating to try to make your voice heard in a meeting when everyone talks over one another. When faced with this scenario, it is likely because there are few respectful relationships in place within the company. People do not want to give space to others since they are not receiving it themselves, and good manners head out the window as a result. In a respectful workplace, everyone is given space to voice their opinions.

Your complaints are listened to properly

No one wants to have their complaints dismissed, whether you are trying to bring attention to something small and insignificant or you have the potential to act as a whistleblower if the company themselves won’t take action. A complainant should be left feeling respected and like their concerns will be dealt with at an appropriate level. During the conversation, they shouldn’t feel hurried through and should be given time to discuss everything in as much detail as they want. Finally, they should feel like they have been listened to seriously, no matter what they have discussed.

Nurture respect at every level

Respect may be earned, not given, but that means we have to understand the actions and behaviours that lead to it being earned. Too many people assume positions of power and think that in and of itself leads to increased respect. However, if they were to take a step back and examine the culture at play within their companies, they would soon learn that there is much more that goes into respect and ensuring employees feel valued than just demanding the mere presence of respect.

Becoming a good and respectful leader is not easy. Targeted leadership development like ChangingPoint’s Leadership and Executive Coaching can help managers break down their strengths and weaknesses so they can refine existing skills and build a strong foundation for new ones. Disrespectful behaviour can often arise out of ignorance and misunderstanding rather than malicious intent, but it needs to be addressed and transformed no matter what.

We all deserve to work in an environment where we feel respected, and we need to work towards creating and nurturing a sense of respect across all workspaces, regardless of size or industry.