respect

Choose Your Words Carefully

By in Communication Tags: , ,

Choosing_Words_Carefully

Words are powerful. They can tear another person down in an instant. That’s why it’s so important to choose your words carefully when you’re at work, and to always think before you speak.

Honest communication is essential at the office. Teams can’t function without it. But it’s equally important to present your thoughts and ideas in ways that are respectful and considerate of others.

Here are four things that you should do when you’re speaking to your coworkers:

  • Take a pause – It’s often a good idea to pause before you speak, and take a little time to consider what you want to say. This will prevent you from using words that might be hurtful or misunderstood. In addition, a brief pause will indicate to others that you’re thinking about the issue carefully and taking it seriously.
  • Think about whether it’s necessary to say anything – It’s not always necessary to share your opinions. This is especially true when you feel like you don’t know how to voice your thoughts in a way that’s clear and respectful. In these situations, it’s better to sit back and listen to what other people have to say. One of your coworkers might voice an opinion that’s similar to yours (making it unnecessary for you to speak), or you might hear new ideas that make your rethink your position. Try to be open minded and carefully consider what other people have to say.
  • Don’t forget that you’re at work – You might use colorful language when you’re at home, but you shouldn’t do it at the office. Even if you have good relationships with your coworkers, always remember that you’re in a work setting and you need to be professional.
  • Apologize if you say the wrong thing – Everyone makes mistakes. And no matter how careful you might try to be, there may still be a time when you say the wrong thing. If this happens, you should immediately say you’re sorry. Acknowledge the fact that you shouldn’t have said what you did, and apologize for causing offense.

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n.a. (2020, January 15). 4 ways to think before you speak in the workplace (and elsewhere). Leadership Delta. Retrieved from: https://www.leadershipdelta.com/be-the-delta-blog/2020/1/15/4-ways-to-think-before-you-speak-in-the-workplace-and-elsewhere

The Importance of Respect

By in Leadership Tags: , ,

Guys fist bumping congratulating each other with success at work

It’s so important for employees to feel like they’re respected at work. People who feel respected are more engaged, creative, productive, and loyal to their organization. Respect makes people feel more willing and able to communicate their ideas. It alleviates stress, and it reduces interpersonal conflict.

So how can leaders make their employees feel respected? They must ensure that they’re providing two distinct kinds of respect:

  1. Owed respect – This is the basic type of respect that every employee should receive, no matter what their position in the organization. It involves civility, inclusion, and making sure that all voices are heard.
  2. Earned respect – This is the type of respect that employees get after they complete a challenging task or project. It’s recognition for employees who have achieved something great or have gone above and beyond what was expected of them.

Leaders need to convey both types of respect – and they need to be balanced. If a leader conveys owed respect but very little earned respect, employees will feel like their extra efforts aren’t appreciated. If a leader conveys earned respect but very little owed respect, this will create an ultra-competitive environment in which employees will be unwilling to help each other out or work together.

Owed respect can be conveyed by listening to employees, appreciating what they have to say, being present, being open to their advice, backing-up employees in challenging situations, and reminding employees that they’re important to the organization. Earned respect can be conveyed by publically or privately acknowledging (and possibly rewarding) employees who have put in that extra effort.

And leaders should remember that respect is infinite. It’s not something that has to be carefully divvied out because there’s a limited amount. Any employee who achieves something great should be given earned respect. And all employees should be given owed respect, regardless of their role on the company org chart.

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Rogers, K. (2018, July-August). Do your employees feel respected? Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from: https://hbr.org/2018/07/do-your-employees-feel-respected

5 Things You Shouldn’t Do if You Want Your Coworkers to Like You

By in Living Well Tags: , , ,

Dirty dishes in foam in the sink waiting for washing. Mugs, plates, cutlery.

We all want to be liked. It feels good to have friends at work.

But if you want your coworkers to view you in a favorable light, you should probably try not to annoy them! According to a recent survey by National Business Furniture and Kelton Global, there are certain workplace behaviors that tend to be especially irritating to others. Here are the top five:

  1. Being late all the time – What’s one of the worst things that you can do at work? Be constantly late for meetings and other work events. 77% of respondents found this type of behavior to be extremely frustrating. So if your coworkers are often forced to wait for you to arrive, you should try to be a little more punctual in the future.
  2. Not doing your dishes – If you leave your dirty dishes in the sink at work for a long time, your coworkers might be feeling a little unhappy about it. 77% of respondents said that they resented the fact that certain coworkers never washed their dishes. In addition, cooking stinky foods (like salmon) in the microwave was also viewed unfavorably by 52% of respondents.
  3. Playing loud music – It’s fine if you want to play music while you work. Just don’t play it loudly. 74% of respondents found this behavior to be unacceptable. So wear headphones or keep the volume low, and everyone will be happy!
  4. Having a noisy phone – You probably love your ringtone. But not all of your coworkers might feel the same way. 57% of respondents reported that smartphone noises (including loud ringtones) are distracting and annoying. So you should probably put your smartphone on vibrate when you’re in the office.
  5. Talking about sensitive subjects – Everyone has their own opinions about things like sex, politics, and religion. These topics are personal, and 59% of respondents thought that it’s not appropriate to discuss these things in an office setting. It’s best to talk about more neutral subjects at work to avoid making anyone feel uncomfortable.

Overall, a good rule of thumb is to simply treat your coworkers as you would like to be treated. They’ll appreciate it!

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Carpenter, D. (2019, November 27). Leave the tuna casserole at home: Tackling the 5 biggest office pet peeves. Recruiter. Retrieved from: https://www.recruiter.com/i/leave-the-tuna-casserole-at-home-tackling-the-5-biggest-office-pet-peeves/

The Importance of Feeling Safe

By in Communication Tags: , ,

Happy multi ethnic research team working together using laptop

Do you spend a lot of your time working on group projects? If you do, then you understand the importance of teamwork. In order to get things done, you and your coworkers need to communicate, respect each other, and coordinate your efforts. You also need to feel safe.

Researchers have found that in order for coworkers to collaborate effectively, they must feel “psychologically safe.” They must feel like they can voice their opinions, suggest new ideas, disagree with each other, and be honest without fear of retribution.

So what can you do to help create a psychologically safe work environment? Try the following:

  • Listen carefully – When your coworkers are talking, listen to what they’re saying. Pay attention, don’t interrupt, keep an open mind, and try to see things from their perspectives.
  • Feel free to disagree – It’s important to be respectful of others, but it’s also important to voice your opinions. If you don’t agree with something that a coworker says, you should say so. Disagreeing with your coworker doesn’t make you a disagreeable person. Everyone on the team should feel free to express their thoughts and ideas, even if they don’t align with someone else’s.
  • Be kind – It’s OK to disagree with someone. But you must make sure to voice your opinions in a calm, respectful manner. And don’t talk about other people behind their backs. It creates the kind of negative environment in which no one feels secure.
  • Admit to your mistakes – No one is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes. If you own up to them, the other people on your team will see that it’s OK to make a misstep. They’ll feel more comfortable about extending themselves and trying new things.
  • Be goofy – Joke around with your coworkers. Laugh together. Go out as a group and do something fun. When you have a good time together, you form a bond and establish a foundation of trust.

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Braverman, B. (n.d.). The one quality that makes every team more effective – and how to foster it. The Muse. Retrieved from: https://www.themuse.com/advice/effective-teams-psychological-safety-in-the-workplace?ref=recently-published-0

How to Stop Being Too Nice at Work

By in Communication Tags: , ,

African-american businessman sitting at desk with laptop looking

You should definitely be kind and helpful to your coworkers. You should be compassionate when your coworkers are having a hard time or need your assistance. It’s the right thing to do. And you’ll also be helping to make to make your office a more productive, supportive place.

But it’s also possible to be too nice. If you never stand up for yourself, even when you’re being taken advantage of, this will result in negative consequences. You’ll feel resentful. People will think that they can continue to take advantage of you. And eventually, you may end up feeling overworked, stressed out, and exhausted.

It’s important to stand up for yourself when you need to. Here’s how to do it:

  • Be honest and direct – Even though it’s sometimes hard to speak up for yourself, it’s important to be straightforward about what you need in order to get your work done.
  • Be calm – If something upsetting has happened to you at work, and you’re feeling emotional, don’t say anything until you’ve calmed down and given yourself a little time to think about it. Before you have a challenging conversation, it’s important to be reasonable and professional.
  • Get your facts straight – Before having a challenging conversation, it’s also important to be prepared. Make sure you have all of the necessary facts and figures at your fingertips.
  • Try to see things from the other person’s perspective – When someone upsets you, it’s hard to see things from his or her point of view. But still, you should make an effort to understand where the other person is coming from. This will make it easier for you to work together and resolve the problem.
  • Try to compromise – When someone treats you badly at work, you shouldn’t just accept it and say nothing. But it’s also wise to avoid an angry confrontation. Try to find some common ground with the person and work out a compromise that you can both live with.
  • Believe in yourself – You’re worthy of respect. Never forget that.

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Komar, M. (2016, August 29). 11 ways to stop being too nice at work & start being assertive. Bustle. Retrieved from: https://www.bustle.com/articles/180817-11-ways-to-stop-being-too-nice-at-work-start-being-assertive

How to Get More Respect at Work

By in Learning Tags: ,

Earning_Respect

Would you like your managers and coworkers to view you with more respect? According to author Geoffery James, it’s easily done. It just involves two simple steps:

  1. Stop promoting yourself – Don’t spend a lot of time talking about your great qualities and impressive accomplishments. This type of behavior doesn’t tend to impress others and it might actually make people view you more unfavorably. Your colleagues might start to think that you lack humility and credibility.
  2. Listen to your colleagues and help them out –Ask your managers and coworkers to tell you about what they’re working on and any challenges that they might be having. Then try to figure out ways that you can help. If you can help your colleagues to be more successful, they’ll be so appreciative. And after that, you won’t have to talk about how wonderful you are. Instead, your colleagues will do it for you!

So in conclusion, actions speak louder than words. Show everyone how awesome and helpful you are, and they’ll respect you for it.

 

James, G. (2017, January 11). The 1 thing you should do this year to make everyone respect you more. Inc. Retrieved from http://www.inc.com/geoffrey-james/the-1-thing-you-should-do-this-year-to-make-everyone-respect-you-more.html

Using Business Cards in International Environments

By in Diversity, Learning Tags: , , , ,

Business_Card

I have business cards, but I must admit that I find it harder and harder to see the point of them. Quite often, I will ask a colleague to send me an email with contact information because that’s efficient and environmentally friendly.

If you travel globally, however, think again. In many cultures, particularly Asian ones, the exchange of business cards is something of a ritual. It isn’t just important to do it — you also have to follow a few basic rules. Here are a few tips:

Giving Business Cards

  1. Make sure your business cards are in pristine condition. Carry them in a case. (Never use a rubber band to hold a stack of them together.)
  2. Present the business card as if you are giving a gift. Use both hands, if possible. Otherwise use your right hand. Make sure that the person can read it immediately without turning it around.
  3. If you often do business in a particular country, consider having your card translated with one side in English, and the other side in the local language. Include the international country code for your telephone number on your card. The United States should be written as +1, for example.
  4. Present your card while standing. Never “deal” your cards as if you are playing poker!
  5. Always have your business card ready to present. In some cultures, not having a business card is rather like refusing to shake hands.

Receiving Business Cards

  1. Thank the person for the card. In Japan, a quick bow is appropriate.
  2. Accept the card with both hands. Handle it carefully and delicately.
  3. Take your time to read the card carefully.
  4. After studying the card, begin a friendly conversation that acknowledges that you’ve absorbed the information on the card. You may like to comment on the person’s profession, the office location, or the company.
  5. After sitting down for your meeting, place the card in front of you.
  6. Never write on a person’s card. And don’t even think of shoving it in your back pocket and sitting on it.

 

Respect

By in Leadership, Learning, University Culture Tags:

Respect

It’s so important to treat others with respect – to behave in a way that demonstrates our regard for others – and to listen, knowing that they might be right and we might be wrong. We need to treat people with dignity, just as we would like to be treated.

To show respect for another person, you need to recognize that the person has value. You need to acknowledge that the person’s thoughts and ideas are valid and important. You can demonstrate your respect by doing the following:

  • Be attentive when the person is talking. Make eye contact and don’t interrupt.
  • Don’t judge what the person is saying. Try to keep an open mind.
  • Be sensitive to the person’s thoughts and feelings.

Remember, being respectful involves treating people with dignity, recognizing the validity and worth of other people’s ideas, and keeping an open mind. When people treat each other with respect, it encourages open communication and cooperation. It creates a warm, supportive environment in which everyone can succeed and reach their fullest potential.

The Nature of Civility

By in JHU, University Culture Tags: , , ,

Civility

Civility means showing people consideration, appreciation, generosity, and trust. It involves being aware of the people around you, and acting with courtesy and kindness.

Dr. P. M. Forni is a professor at Johns Hopkins University, the director of The Civility Initiative at Johns Hopkins, and the author of two highly acclaimed books on civility. In his book, “Choosing Civility,” Dr. Forni presents 25 rules of considerate conduct. We asked Dr. Forni to identify the five rules that he thought were the most important. His picks are listed below.

  • Pay attention – Take notice of your surroundings. Consider the feelings and needs of others. If you pay attention to the world and people around you, you’ll be able to react to situations more thoughtfully and effectively.
  • Be inclusive – Expose yourself to ideas that are different from your own. Dare to go beyond your “comfort zone.” Work to understand and accept other peoples’ identities, cultures, languages, histories, and ways of interacting with the world. Help new acquaintances and coworkers to feel a sense of belonging and acceptance.
  • Respect other people’s time – Value other people’s time as much as you value your own. Be punctual. If you need to cancel an appointment, cancel in advance. If you need help from someone, keep your requests brief and to the point. Keep your phone calls short. When communicating with coworkers, try to be as clear and concise as possible.
  • Respect other people’s space – Be considerate of others. Don’t invade their personal space and try to keep touching to a minimum. Also, be considerate of other people’s territory. Ask before entering another person’s office or cubicle. And if you share a space with your coworkers (like a kitchen or lunchroom), do your part to help keep it clean.
  • Don’t shift responsibility and blame – Never blame someone else for your mistakes. If you are at fault, be honest about it. Admit your mistake and apologize. Don’t focus on who caused the problem, but rather on what can be done to fix it.

Overall, being civil means thinking about the comfort and happiness of others. People who are civil think about the people around them and this helps them make the right decisions about how to behave.

Forni, P. M. (2002). Choosing civility. New York, NY: St. Martin’s Press.