March 27th, 2017

Mutual Respect in Teams

Developing mutual respect in the workplace is similar to filling a piggy bank. As a supervisor and team we should be constantly putting esteem deposits into the teams piggy banks. Be conscious of building a culture that identifies small positive esteem investments from appreciations to rewards and compliments to recognition.

As much as we can try to grow the investment in the piggy bank to overflowing within our team... chances are we will never make it to overflowing (and if we do isn’t that a great problem to have), as inevitably a negative event will happen and we will lose some of our esteem investment. The hope is that over time we have invested so much into the piggy bank that we don’t become esteem bankrupt and will have something to rebuild from with more small investments over time.

According to Richard Lavoie it is essential to build people up with as much investment as possible everyday. We need to make sure that people leave their daily experience with us with more in their piggy bank than they came with. To do that it is important that we take away only what we need to from them when there is an issue. And to be an advocate for them when others are trying to take them away.

Ideas for Building Mutual Respect in the Workplace:

• Listen to the concerns of the staff members, take action, and report back.
• Follow through on commitments made.
• Listen and inquire so that you have full understanding of what is being said.
• Be frugal in your reprimands - short, accurate, and fair is best.
• Advocate for your team members.
• Conduct yourself with the other persons esteem in mind.
• Build on your positive shared experiences.
• Demonstrate your reliability through your actions.
• Earn respect by sharing opportunities equally.
• Act fairly and timely to issues.
• Be open to feedback from others about your performance.
• Actively seek advice and wisdom when making decisions.
• Collaborate on projects where ever possible.
• Share the accolades of a job well done with your team.