Last month I attended a Chicago SHRM Roundtable discussion on culture. I learned that among the most important aspects of culture, as identified by employees are these three:
Respect
Credibility
Fairness
In our work at Perspective-Power.com we have found that Respect is something that people desire, perhaps as much as anything, in relationships. Both personal relationships and work relationships. And that as important as it is to be respected, we have just as great a need as individuals to be able to respect others with whom we relate.
This month I’d like to talk about respect.
That idea, the one about desiring and really needing to be able to respect others with whom we live and work is, in my opinion, one of the most important pieces of culture in the new millennium. Indeed, some 87% of college graduates last year said that going to work for an organization that doesn’t share their values is a deal breaker!
A definition of respect is ‘A feeling of deep admiration for someone or something because of their abilities, qualities or achievements’. In that sense, the organization’s standard for respect is quite a lot higher than the individual’s.
I reckon it’s fair to say that a ‘deep admiration’ is what we are wanting to feel to be able to really respect anyone. A company, a boss, a leader of any kind, even ourselves.
Alternatively, the respect that individuals seek from others may require less of this ‘deep appreciation’ and more a deference, or nonjudgmental experience. It’s about recognition and acknowledgment and also a sense of appreciation. It’s this sense of respect (as appreciation), that Mother Teresa of Calcutta was referring to when she said, “There is a greater hunger in this world for respect and appreciation than for bread.”
To close I would like to recall something that one of my original mentors, Earl Nightengale said. It’s an exercise you can try too. He said “For the next six weeks treat every person with whom you come in contact as if they were the most important person in the world. We do this for two excellent reasons. First, to every person, they are the most important person! And second: That’s the way people ought to treat each other.”
Until next time, Be Well!!
Brian
This Article was written by co-Founder of Perspective-Power, Brian Reinbold: Originally written for Chicago SHRM (Society of Human Resource Management) January 2017 Column: “Organizational Development Perspectives. Fresh ideas on Leadership, Culture and Communication”
Kaleen Marshall Kaleen Marshall is the founder and CEO of The Viaggio Group Inc., a professional coaching and leadership consulting firm focused on helping people move forward along their journey […]
