A History of Bad Behavior
Fostering a productive and respectful work environment can feel like a constant battle. Leaders often find themselves caught between addressing disruptive behavior and maintaining a sense of camaraderie. However, tolerating inconsiderate, unprofessional, and harmful interactions sends a dangerous message: it teaches everyone how to treat each other. History teaches others how to behave. What is tolerated becomes the acceptable norm.
The Moral Imperative
The Bible offers a clear directive on how we should treat one another. Leviticus 19:18 instructs us to "Love your neighbor as yourself." This principle transcends personal relationships, extending to every interaction in our lives, including the workplace. Ephesians 4:29 reinforces this notion, urging us to avoid “harsh words” and to “speak encouraging words to build up others.” By tolerating disrespect, we fail to uphold this moral obligation, creating an atmosphere that breeds negativity and hinders productivity. We teach others that it’s OK to be disrespectful.
The Cycle of Disrespect
Academic research underscores the corrosive nature of disrespect. One study found that witnessing incivility in the workplace leads to decreased job satisfaction, increased intention to quit, and even physical health problems for employees. Disrespectful behavior fosters a climate of fear and anxiety, hindering creativity and collaboration. Employees treated poorly are less likely to go the extra mile or offer innovative ideas.
Breaking the Cycle
Leaders have the power to disrupt this cycle. Here are some actionable steps:
Set Clear Expectations: Establish a code of conduct that outlines respectful behavior. This code should encompass communication styles, meeting etiquette, and conflict resolution strategies. Once you have a code in place, enforce it. No one is above the obligation of this expectation.
Model Respectful Behavior: Leaders set the tone for the organization. Treat everyone with dignity and courtesy, even in stressful situations. You are mistaken if you have leaders on your team whose behavior has been tolerated because they are “important” to the organization's success. Their negative impact on the organization goes far beyond their visible success.
Address Disrespect Promptly: Don't ignore disrespectful behavior. Confront it directly and privately and address its impact on the team.
Focus on Solutions: Work with employees to develop solutions that promote positive interactions.
By prioritizing respect, leaders cultivate a work environment where employees feel valued and empowered to do their best work. This not only benefits the emotional well-being of your team but also strengthens your organization's success.
The way we treat each other sets a precedent. By fostering a culture of respect, leaders create an environment where everyone thrives. Rewrite history.