Respect People! Are we there yet?

Respect at work can bolster abundant positivity at the working environment. They say respectful interactions, build higher and better performances. This forms a foundation for long term work relations and a sense of happiness. A healthy level of respect is probably the most potent ingredient for workplace civility.

Respect reaches much further than manners and compliance. It also plays a key role in recognition, engagement, and in crafting a robust organisational culture.

Sara and the team had to stay late at night for the work,  that day after the work Sara ensured everyone reaches home without any hassle. Another example, James was working on complex component, which he successfully managed to deliver within tight schedule, working late nights and the requirement has been changed. This situation led to huge disappointment for James and his manager, both. However, his manager handled this situation well by explaining nitty gritty and the reasons, also affirmed him that with certain tweaks, it can be utilised later stage for some other project. The key was how transparently it got communicated, emphasising the great efforts and time James has put in.

Here are few smart ways to gain respect at workplace

• It's easy to overlook the importance of language, so watch what and when you speak.
• Enhancing personal skills such as being well-read, demonstrating your knowledge at workplace without bullying anyone else’s views.
• Keeping your commitments.
• Stating your opinion, backing it with data and fully understand the situation before you comment on it.
• Being a great listener or sounding board when required, nonetheless taking correct actions.
• Setting your boundaries and understand your priorities, at the same time willing to go an extra mile to do the job or going beyond the call of duty.
• Following basic organisation level expectations, adhering project level processes, owning the change - be it at project or organisation level, will attract ample admiration.

Achieving respect at the workplace is also about on the job expertise and skills, ability to handle complex situations, mentoring and coaching your peer group, continuous advancement, helping to achieve higher and greater milestones etc. fetch a lot of alignment and rule out disorder.

The senior who has tossed different challenges to you to shape up your performance and encouraged you to think differently. Respect that Leadership, it’s not easy!

It sounds like common sense, but the question is how it gets translated. Respect cannot be achieved automatically but gained through actions!