? How to Earn Respect at Work
Respect in the workplace is a nebulous concept: It pertains not only to how workers regard you when walking down the hallways but also how the boss responds to your ideas. What generates respect from co-workers derives from multiple sources including your attitude, openness to others and mutual understanding. Keeping and maintaining respect from others requires developing certain skills.
Here are some of my personal suggestions for earning respect:
Do good work
One of the most obvious ways to earn respect is to do quality work on a regular basis. People respect those who can meet deadlines, solve problems, and make the company look good. In addition, earning respect is often about doing the job “above and beyond the call of duty” which essentially means that people do more than they were asked to do. Granted, going beyond directed parameters may bring a bit of risk if a supervisor did not want a person to do more than was asked, but oftentimes people appreciate extra effort. The key is not to stray too far from the instructions and put the supervisor or the company at risk.
Show leadership qualities
Be proactive, confident, secure and assertive. Erase the phrase “I think…” from your speech. If you’ve thought something out well, stand up for your idea and be prepared to back it up with reason or facts. Timidity in the workplace won’t earn you respect. Don’t take your behavior too far the other way. Though there is a line between confidence and arrogance, assertiveness and aggressiveness.
Ask for help when you need it
If your boss hands you a huge project and you have absolutely no idea what he’s talking about, don’t pretend like you do, advises Macavinta. œWe see it as a weakness, but getting help is a respect basic, she says. œSay with confidence, ˜I’ve never done this before. What are your expectations?’ Your boss will appreciate you asking for clarification upfront, rather than giving her something she doesn’t want and has to completely rework.
Don’t be a slacker
Habitually running late, leaving early and stretching out your lunch break demonstrate a lack of care for your work, organization or business. This sort of behavior won’t earn you standing with anyone.
Avoid office politics
Gossiping at work is one of the least professional things you can do. Not only is tawdry talk tacky, but it will harm, not help, your reputation and potentially put the brakes on your advance up the career ladder.
Tips & Warnings
Despite following all of the steps perfectly, some co-workers may always exude a hostile, disrespectful attitude. Accept that their attitudes likely have nothing to do with you. Disengage from these workers and instead, spend time with co-workers who share your new positive and encouraging outlook.