Six Tips for Getting More Respect at Work
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Respect is an important part of the way we live. However in today’s society, respect is often seen as an afterthought. And unfortunately this same attitude carries over into the world of work. With millions of college educated professionals treating the cast of “The Bad Girls’ Club” and “Jersey Shore” as their role models, respect is often taken for granted, ignored, or seen as an entitlement rather than something established by integrity, character, and performance.

Regardless of the bad behavior of co-workers and even in some cases managers, it is possible to earn respect at work. It is the actions you take every day that ultimately influence and earn respect from the people you interact with at work.


”If you have some respect for people as they are, you can be more effective in helping them to become better than they are.” –John W. Gardner

Here are 6 ways to earn and receive the respect you know you deserve:

1. Carry yourself in a respectable manner. Act in a manner that communicates to others that you should be taken seriously. Think before you act and respond with tact in all circumstances.

2. Carry yourself with pride. Act in a way that would make your parents, family and friends proud, even if they won’t see you. Don’t take part in something that you wouldn’t want your children to do.

* When you’re a highly regarded person, people will automatically respect you. If you need to verbally ask for respect from others, either you’re dealing with an immature person, or behaving in ways that cause others to respect you less.


”Respect commands itself and can neither be given nor withheld when it is due.” –Eldridge Cleaver

2. Follow the golden rule. Treat others with respect and set expectations that they treat you likewise. You can work to set the tone but remember, everyone has boundaries that they expect you to respect. If you cross them intentionally, you’re digging your own hole.

* If someone treats you wrongfully, reciprocate with grace and kindness. Be mature; walk away. By doing so, others will perceive you in a positive light and respond in your favor.

3. Remove bad influences. It’s important to realize that some people simply think that they’re above any moral laws. These types of people will do what they want, when they want and blurt out the thoughts in their mind with total disregard to the emotions of anyone else.

* Weed toxic people out of your life. You are your very first priority. If you allow yourself to be treated unfairly by others, you’re broadcasting that it’s okay to treat you like a doormat.

4. Conduct yourself with class. Keep your head above the water in sticky situations. A calm conversation often serves your interests better than lashing out in anger. Always speak positively about your friends and neutrally about your enemies. You’ll be admired as someone who refuses to gossip and win the trust of others.

* Make it a point to be aware of your actions and reactions, and think before you speak. When you do, you’re indirectly commanding the respect that you deserve.

5. Be realistic. If you’re trying to be on equal footing with your elders or higher-ups in your company, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. It’s important to understand that there will always be a group of people that are above you in a certain sense. And it’s necessary to treat them with the respect they are due.

* There’s an unspoken rule in social and corporate ranking systems. The older you are, the more respect you deserve from society. The higher you are within the company, the more respect you command. Just remember that one day it’ll be your turn.

6. Make achievement a priority. No one likes a slacker. If you’re promoted within your company for your hard work and the quality with which you deliver your efforts will warrant respect from others.

* Consider continuing your education. It’ll boost your self-esteem, income, and career achievements. Plus, it’ll make others respect your dedication in achieving excellence.

Remember, the easiest way to command respect from everyone around you is to be a person of integrity, character and compassion. Hold yourself and your actions to a high standard, and you will rightly earn the respect you seek.