How to Earn Respect: Getting the Respect You Deserve at Work

by Oct 22, 2013

What Does It Mean To Earn Respect?

Most employees aim to like their jobs, and all want to be respected. Sadly, doing a great job and earning respect don’t happen to always be mutually inclusive. There will be people that work harder than others, only to get walked over by their co-workers or upper level management.

Respect is given to people who are valued. If you are a tremendous workaholic, but can’t grasp the politics of the office, you are good as dead. All work, but no recognition. The best benefit of being respected is that your life away from your job will rarely be impacted by your career. Here are some tips on how to gain the respect you deserve.

Stop Caring So Much

I’m not saying you should stop caring at all. People often become obsessed with their careers. It’s good to show that you are competent at what you do, but don’t over do it. If you’re always working later than everyone else, chances are, your employer will take advantage of you.

Yes, the economy is tough, but you cannot be walking around, terrified about where you will be if you lose this particular job.

Don’t Miss Deadlines

There is a reason people call them deadlines. Meeting deadlines show that you are accountable. With that said, if someone gives you an unreasonable deadline, respectfully point out that your work quality might suffer and the task might not be deliverable within that time frame. Give an alternative suggestion.

Keep A Clean Workspace

You don’t have to brush off the dust everyday. A slightly messy desk can show that you are getting work done, but having candy wrappers and bottle caps lying around your desk doesn’t look too impressionable.

Never Be Late To An Appointment

Nothing shows more disrespect than saying, “I value my time more than yours.” If you make an appointment, make sure to arrive promptly.

According to the New York Times, the average American spends about 45 hours a week at work. This is a big chunk of your life. By following these tips, I hope that you can earn the respect you deserve at work.

Do you know how much money chronically bad behavior costs your company? Spoiler alert – it’s a LOT higher than you want it to be. Download our data and worksheet to see how it’s costing your organization and what you can do to fix it.

 

Catherine

About Catherine Mattice

Catherine Mattice, MA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, is the founder/CEO of Civility Partners, an organizational development firm focused on helping organizations create respectful workplace cultures and specializing in turning around toxic cultures. Civility Partners’ clients range from Fortune 500’s to small businesses across many industries. Catherine is a TEDx speaker and an HR thought-leader who has appeared in such venues as USA Today, Bloomberg, CNN, NPR, and many other national news outlets as an expert. She’s an award-winning speaker, author and blogger, and has 50+ courses reaching global audiences on LinkedIn Learning. Catherine’s award-winning book, BACK OFF! Your Kick-Ass Guide to Ending Bullying at Work, was hailed by international leadership-guru, Ken Blanchard, as, “the most comprehensive and valuable handbook on the topic.” Her latest book is Navigating Toxic Work Environments For Dummies (Wiley).

FREE Webinar: Creating Inclusive Workplaces

What was once applauded as both smart business and the right thing to do has suddenly become controversial. Yep, I’m talking about DEI. It’s disheartening to see that what was once celebrated is now being treated as expendable. But when inclusion takes a back seat, so...

Navigating the Era of “Quiet DEI”

Companies across industries are changing how they talk about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Not too long ago, DEI was splashed across annual reports, websites, and conference stages. Now? The phrase itself has become a political lightning rod, and many...

3 Cultural Faux Pas You Might Not Realize You’re Making

Cultural missteps happen to everyone, even the most seasoned leaders and global brands.  Recently, American Eagle launched a campaign featuring actress Sydney Sweeney with the tagline “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Genes.” The pun on “jeans” was meant to be playful, but it...

HR, Are You Part of the Incivility Problem?

You already know what it feels like to be on the receiving end of workplace “drama.” Complaints about rudeness, tension between team members, and employees quietly disengaging are all part of the daily grind. You know it’s expensive. You know it’s draining for you to...

4 Strategies to Infiltrate Civility Into Your Global Organization

At its core, civility is the foundation of a thriving culture. It shapes how people communicate, lead, resolve tension, and show up, especially when challenges arise. Civility doesn’t look the same everywhere, however. What feels respectful in one culture might come...

Is It Okay To Bully AI?

According to a Pew Research Center study, 79% of Americans interact with artificial intelligence (AI) almost constantly or several times a day. Gartner predicts that by 2026, 80% of enterprises will be using generative AI in some form. That means we’re not just...

What Exactly is Civility vs. Incivility?

August is National Civility Month! Civility has recently climbed to the top of search trends, and with SHRM’s #CivilityAtWork initiative, the conversation is gaining real traction. But here’s the question: do you truly understand what civility means in the workplace?...

Is your workforce survey measuring the right things?

Many HR leaders rely on employee surveys to gauge the health of the workplace culture, but not all surveys are created equal. Whether you're using an engagement survey, a Great Place to Work® survey, or another tool, the question is: Are you gathering the right data?...

Conscious Unbossing: Why Gen Z Is Saying “No Thanks” to Leadership Roles

According to DDI’s Global Leadership Forecast 2025, 80% of HR professionals lack confidence in their leadership pipelines. CEOs are just as concerned, ranking “developing the next generation of leaders” among their top four worries. Gen Z is shaking things up. They’re...

The Workplace Culture Model Every Leader Needs to Know

We all want a workplace where people feel seen, heard, and valued. But building that kind of culture takes more than good intentions and inspirational posters. It demands a clear-eyed look at how people behave, how leaders lead, and how the organization itself either...