Respect

September 2023 Character Core

A harmonious, enjoyable workplace appeals to everyone, and yet creating that type of atmosphere is difficult and take intentionality. Practicing respect when interacting with fellow employees and customers goes a long way in creating a culture of respect and value. An article for legacycultures.com lists a few more ways respect improves the workplace.

1. Reducing stress is especially important for the health of employees in the workplace. Stress-free employees feel more comfortable sharing ideas and working with colleagues to achieve their goals. Increased respect and reduced stress have both mental and physical effects on workers’ health.
2. Showing respect to colleagues encourages innovative thinking and increase[s] productivity as employees know that their contributions are valued. Such workplaces become an opportunity for everyone to learn from each other, creating an environment in which both employees and managers can develop their skills.
3. In a workplace where employees feel respected, they are more likely to be happy with their work and leave at the end of the day feeling proud of what they’ve done. This sense of satisfaction from employees can benefit employers in the long run since satisfied employees usually want to stay with companies that value them.
4. One of the most important things an employer can offer is the opportunity for employees to showcase their skills and knowledge regardless of their background. Respect prevents people from playing favorites and giv[es] everyone a chance to be heard. Every employee has the same voice as their colleagues, and all ideas are appreciated, no matter who they come from.

Building a community based on respect takes time, effort, and consistency. However, the result leads to an improved experience for everyone involved, from managers to staff to customers.

“Every human being, of whatever origin, of whatever station, deserves respect. We must each respect others even as we respect ourselves.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson