How to Build Respect in the Workplace
- 1). Maintain confidence in your abilities, but ask for help when you need it. You may think that saying that you know how to do certain things, but not others will make you lose respect, but it is actually the opposite. When you say that you aren't sure how to accomplish a certain task, you get more respect for being willing to speak up and taking it as a new learning opportunity.
- 2). Avoid getting visibly angry at work. Remember, no matter what your position, people aren't always going to agree with what you say or do. You don't gain respect by getting angry with people for differing with you; in fact, you may lose respect because people are then leery about disagreeing with you.
- 3). Maintain consistency in your position. Show up on time every day, call in rarely or only as absolutely needed, and produce quality work regularly. This kind of consistency not only earns you respect among your own team, but among management as well. The respect is generated from the fact that you obviously value your job and the company and do your best accordingly.
- 4). Be mindful of how you address others in your office. Speak professionally at all times, no matter what your standing in the office. People respect those they feel speak to them in an appropriate manner. When you are rude or unkind -- even as a manager -- you tend to lose respect rather than gain it.
- 5). Consider the needs and opinions of those you work with. People tend to respect you more at work when it doesn't seem as though your way is the only way and your opinion is the only opinion. Always seek input from others and convey the value of those opinions. Listen when someone else has an idea and provide feedback, focusing on positive attributes of the idea before saying anything negative.
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