Respectful leadership: that’s a hot topic these days, and a hot-button for many. And it’s really a shame; an organization of fulfilled people is an organization positioned to reach its full potential.
Great leaders demonstrate genuine respect in multiple ways. As I wrote in my last post, Kristine Rogers describes two types in an HBR article, Do Your Employees Feel Respected?: Owed Respect, and Earned Respect.
- “Owed Respect” is the respect all people deserve, out of decency and consideration for others. We owe this to each other, and leaders owe it to their people.
- “Earned Respect” goes beyond what’s generally owed to people and recognizes accomplishments or acquired skills.
Earned Respect
When this topic comes up with my coaching clients, we discuss how it’s not necessary to distinguish between small, medium or large accomplishments: recognize them all! Let your people hear about the things you appreciate. Some examples of a person’s accomplishments you could share with others include:
- Gaining extra qualifications through training or a degree
- Solving a difficult problem
- Completing a long project that will benefit the organization
- Favorable comments from customers or coworkers
- Suggesting a better process, procedure or cost-saving idea
- A promotion or higher levels of responsibility
You can make these types of recognition count even more in one-on-one time, with performance reviews and planning future personal goals. Document their accomplishments and your appreciation. Give some people the opportunity to train others or be a mentor to a younger coworker. Where appropriate, train employees to be leaders. Leaders who demonstrate trust in employees’ potential and efforts convey great respect.
These activities set a tone in your culture that performance, engagement, accountability and respect are highly valued. Consistency is critical. Picking and choosing which accomplishments to acknowledge looks like favoritism, and even if this isn’t the intention it will appear to be. Spread the respect equally and frequently. In return, hold everyone accountable for good work, and trust them to do it.
A respectful culture, established and fostered by the leader, is the most powerful means to run an effective, prosperous and dynamic organization.
What do you think? How do you demonstrate earned respect for your employees? I’d love to hear from you. You can call me at 561-582-6060, let’s talk. And as always, I can be reached here, or on LinkedIn.
