Why being respectful to your coworkers is good for business | Christine Porath

TL;DR

In a world where incivility is prevalent, it is crucial to recognize the impact our actions have on others and strive to be respectful and kind.

Transcript

Who do you want to be? It's a simple question, and whether you know it or not, you're answering it every day through your actions. This one question will define your professional success more than any other, because how you show up and treat people means everything. Either you lift people up by respecting them, making them feel valued, appreciated ... Read More

Key Insights

• 💼 Professional Success: How you show up and treat people on a daily basis defines your professional success more than any other factor.
• 💔 Effects of Incivility: Incivility, characterized by rudeness or disrespect, has significant effects on individuals, including decreased motivation and job dissatisfaction.
• 💰 Cost of Incivility: Incivility in the workplace can cost organizations millions of dollars, not only in terms of decreased productivity but also through increased turnover.
• 👥 Witnesses are Affected: Individuals who witness incivility also experience negative impacts, with decreased performance and engagement as a result.
• 🌍 Incivility's Reach: Incivility is not limited to the workplace, but can be found in various settings such as homes, schools, and online communities.
• 🗣️ Effects of Rude Words: Exposure to rude words, even in written form, can impair attention, decision-making, and performance in both personal and professional contexts.
• 🩺 Medical Impact: Rudeness in the medical field can have deadly consequences, leading to medical errors and decreased teamwork and collaboration among healthcare professionals.
• 👑 Civility Pays: Being civil pays off in many ways, including being viewed as a leader, improved performance, and increased engagement and respect from others. Respect is the most desired trait in leaders, even above recognition and appreciation.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is incivility and why does it matter?

Incivility refers to disrespectful or rude behavior, which can range from mocking or belittling someone to telling offensive jokes. It matters because how we treat people has a significant impact on their motivation, performance, and overall well-being. Incivility can lead to decreased work efforts, lost time due to worrying, and even people leaving their jobs.

Q: How does incivility affect performance in the workplace?

Research has shown that incivility significantly affects performance in the workplace. For example, a study found that 66% of individuals who experienced incivility cut back on their work efforts, 80% lost time worrying about what happened, and 12% even left their jobs. Incivility decreases motivation and can have negative consequences on employee productivity and engagement.

Q: Does witnessing incivility have an impact on performance as well?

Yes, witnessing incivility can also have a negative impact on performance. Studies have shown that when individuals witness someone being treated rudely or disrespectfully, their own performance significantly decreases. Incivility is contagious, meaning that being around it can make us carriers of it, affecting our emotions, motivation, and overall functioning.

Q: How does incivility affect decision-making and attention?

Incivility has been found to impair decision-making and attention. Research has shown that when individuals are exposed to rude words or witness incivility, they are more likely to miss important information right in front of them. They tend to take longer to make decisions, make more errors, and can experience difficulties in focusing and paying attention. This can even have serious consequences in fields like medicine, where lapses in attention due to incivility can lead to mistakes and potentially harm patients.

Q: Does being civil in the workplace have any benefits?

Yes, being civil in the workplace has numerous benefits. Not only does it contribute to a more positive and respectful work environment, but it also positively impacts individual and organizational performance. Being seen as civil is associated with being viewed as a leader, and those who are viewed as civil tend to perform better in their roles. Additionally, being treated with respect is highly valued by employees and leads to increased engagement and overall well-being.

Q: What can individuals do to promote civility in their daily interactions?

Individuals can take small actions to promote civility in their daily interactions. This includes thanking people, sharing credit, listening attentively, asking questions humbly, acknowledging others, and simply smiling and saying hello to colleagues. These small acts of kindness and respect can make a significant difference in creating a more civil and positive work environment. Being tough-minded on performance standards while being tenderhearted with people can also help create a culture of civility and respect.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Your actions define who you are and can impact your professional success.

• Incivility, which includes disrespect and rudeness, has negative effects on people's motivation, performance, and overall well-being.

• Civility pays off - it leads to better leadership, higher performance, and a more engaged workforce.