Lack of Respect

Everyone in the workplace deserves respect. Disrespect is a sure sign of a dysfunctional culture.

Over the last few years, we have heard that lack of respect is a growing issue of concern in workplaces. If you are feeling disrespected and want to find out why, you must ask. Sounds simple but often not a comfortable thing to do.

Here are the steps to take to initiate conversations and start the process of regaining respect:

1.    Plan to directly ask for what you want.

2.    Prep yourself and the team members to receive and give direct honest feedback.

3.    Create an environment that allows others to be comfortable sharing the truth.

4.    Be vulnerable, “I’m feeling you no longer trust me, and I would like to ask why?”

5.    Ask directly, “What can I do to improve?”

6.    Listen to answers. Do not forget to pay attention to body language, it speaks volumes about what it truly going on.

To maintain respect, you can start with the following practices:

1.    Empower your staff members to do the job you hired them to do.

2.    Brainstorm, create plans, and make decisions with all necessary stake holders then do not change plans unless all agree.

3.    With decisions, be sure to include why you made the decision.

4.    Nip rumors as soon as they start or better yet before they start by proactively communicating.

5.    Be transparent – keep others in “the know.”

6.    Value others and their time. Communicate your appreciation for others, letting them know how much you value them.

7.    Have a zero-tolerance culture for disrespectful, rude, and unprofessional behavior.

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