Workplace Etiquette: Building A Healthy Work Environment Through Respect
-
- May 2, 2024
Respect for humans is all about recognising their rights and dignity as individuals—treating them with fairness and kindness irrespective of their background, beliefs, or perspectives.
Treating colleagues with respect, regardless of their levels and ranks, is also a needed skill for any professional. When individuals feel valued and appreciated, they are encouraged to contribute even more to the workplace, thus creating a healthy work environment for everyone. No man is an island, and when it comes to our workplace, everyone needs to work together for a common goal.
Here are some key strategies to cultivate workplace respect and create a conducive working atmosphere.
Open and Well-mannered Communication
Open dialogue and active listening among team members must be encouraged. Opportunities for everyone to voice their opinions, concerns, and ideas must be created. It should also be a safe space for them to feel comfortable enough to contribute.
Now, creating opportunities for open communication is different from well-mannered communication. As much as you have the floor to air out your views, every word you speak must be respectful and polite, keeping in mind that everyone around you is also human.
Lead By Example
The saying “Change Starts With You” perfectly applies to this situation. To see the change you want, you have to start it. Take the lead in treating people around you with kindness, respect, and empathy. The same level of respect you have for a higher-ranking colleague, you give to subordinates as well.
Training And Team Bonding
One way to build a healthy environment where they can understand each other is to involve team bonding.
When employees have a relationship that transcends beyond the workplace and becomes interpersonal, they become more aware of what the other person is like and how to better relate to them. These bonding exercises could be a training program or something recreational that would help them work on their emotional intelligence, conflict resolution abilities, and professional and social skills. Such exercises promote empathy and effective conversations.
Establish Expectations
Basically, a policy has to be made on what type of behaviour is expected from everyone at your workplace, as well as the consequences for violating these codes of conduct. This ensures all professionals understand their role in maintaining a respectful work environment.
Rewarding Good Deeds or Behaviour
Acknowledging individuals who have made an impact professionally or in any other positive way around the workplace is bound to encourage others to follow suit. This method of rewarding people gives other employees a different mindset, leading to a more positive approach to their duties.
Overall, understanding respect in the workplace is about fostering appreciation, consideration, and support. By implementing these strategies, a thriving workplace built on mutual respect and hard work can be created.
Johnson Chukwueke
Johnson Chukwueke is a content and creative writer with over 3 years of experience as a professional. A microbiology graduate from the Imo State University, Johnson is a music enthusiast who also enjoys movies, reading, and swimming. He is a writer at THEWILL DOWNTOWN.
