Treating members in your team with respect is obvious. There are different ways in which we can define respect. Giving respect is a continuous process of paying attention to the members of the organization. Leaders should appreciate the efforts of the members of the team. Leaders should recognize the knowledge, skillset, and abilities of their employees. They should express gratitude and recognition for their efforts.

Respect may mean different things to different people. This Transformation Tuesday let us look at how do we define respect:

1. Listening

Respect is all about listening. People feel respected when they are heard. When heard they feel they are understood. When leaders are open to the team members and are genuinely interested in them, it will help to make the relationship stronger and build trust. When you listen to the employees you need not agree or disagree with them. Leaders should just listen to the ideas, issues, concerns, experiences, views, perspectives of their team members, even if you agree or disagree with them.

2. Absence of Disrespect

When you do not disrespect anyone on the team, that does not mean you show respect. If you stop being rude, stop insulting team members, or stop using diminishing words, that does not mean you create respect. Respect is an action. We show respect, we act with respect, we speak with respect. Leaders need to understand that the absence of disrespect does not have the same positive influence in conflict resolution or dispute as does the existence of respect.

3. Many ways

Respect can be interpreted in multiple ways. There are multiple factors like family, peers, social relationships, and many more that influence the perception of respect. Multiple factors like status, power, and role all create an impact in the way in which respect is understood. Leaders need to study and understand how respect is given and received in different societies and parties. Leaders should not think of respect as one parameter applicable to all.

As quoted by Stephen R. Covey – “Always treat your employees exactly as you want them to treat your best customers.”

Written and Compiled by Faber Mayuri