July 2008

R • E • S • P • E • C • T More than any other issue, people want respect.  When I ask a training audience who among them receives all the respect that they believe they deserve, no one raises their hand.  When I ask that same audience what it is that they aren't getting, then each individual has a different answer.  We've been studying respect and how to get it.  Here's what we've found. Keys to Getting Respect 1. Give It What does it mean to show respect to others?  Here are some simple behaviors you can do everyday: Offer sincere, specific compliments on any behavior above and beyond your expectations. Recognize efforts and achievements publicly, even if its just to say "thank you" when there are others around to hear the individual being thanked Really listen to the cares and concerns of another, even if its only a few Offer to help with even the smallest tasks, remember it’s the little things that matter. Say "hello" each morning and "good night" each evening before leaving the office. Encourage every individual to do his or her best. Reinforce that you have confidence in their abilities and that you trust them. 2. Act Consistently If your organization has a mission, vision, strategic objectives, code of ethics or other way of saying what it is about, then make certain that your words match those words.  Then make certain that your actions match your words. The goal is consistency.  People don't care if you are tough or nice.  They do care that you are consistently tough or consistently nice.  If you are nice one day and tough the next day it confuses them, they begin to lose faith in you, and their ability to respect you is gone. If your organization doesn't have a mission statement then create your own.  Organize your team, which includes all your direct reports, maybe your boss, some of your peers, customers, suppliers, and anyone else who depends on your team, and on whom your team depends.  Ask them to define what your team is all about, what it stands for, what its mission is, what it is trying to achieve, who it is trying to serve, how it will know if it has achieved success.  Simply record their thoughts on a flip chart or white board.  It doesn't have to be fancy or well worded - it does need to be understood by each individual. Post that flip chart page on the wall in a common area of your office.  Now make certain that your words resonate with this mission and that your actions are in line with your words.  Day-by-day this will have the desired effect.  Give respect, act consistently and you will get the respect you now deserve and desire.

For information concerning SMBC Incorporated contact: Lou Carloni lou@smbcinc.com

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