Sandy Harvey is the Chief Inclusion Strategist & Founder of Exodus Consulting Group.
Workplaces today are diverse and fast-paced. They are in places such as homes, co-working spaces and business offices. These are places where we want employees to show up authentically. In this charged environment, there is no doubt societal culture and norms will creep into workplace cultures. This brings us to civility and respect and why it matters in workplaces.
Workplace civility is not just about being polite. Civility involves being inclusive by being accepting of others while demonstrating respect, fostering diversity of thought and cultivating an environment where individuals feel valued and empowered.
Let’s agree on a basic understanding of what civility means. I want to suggest that workplace civility is the consistent demonstration of respect, courtesy and professionalism in all interactions, which creates a psychologically safe environment where diverse perspectives are valued and all employees can contribute fully regardless of tenure, location or level. This includes communicating with dignity, addressing conflicts constructively and fostering an inclusive culture that supports the organization’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
Civility is essential because it can foster positive relationships, increase job satisfaction, improve organizational outcomes and help employees perform and feel better. Cultivating civility requires intentional effort from both leaders and employees alike.
Here are some staggering data points published by SHRM.
• The daily cost of incivility in the U.S. is over $2 billion.
• It is estimated that over 81 million acts of incivility are taking place every day in the U.S. workforce.
• 1/3 of U.S. workers believe workplace conflict will increase over the next 12 months.
• 62% of U.S. workers agree that a manager has ignored acts of incivility in the workplace, and 68% believe their manager cares more about business objectives than how people are treated in the workplace.
Why Workplace Civility Matters
Research shows that employees who work in civil environments experience less stress, feel more engaged and are more productive. Conversely, workplaces that see high rates of turnover, burnout and absenteeism may see higher incidents of workplace incivility. Imagine creative spaces where employees want to show up for work and feel trusted and empowered to get the job done.
In addition to enhancing employee well-being, civil and respectful cultures encourage open communication, which is essential for effective collaboration. When team members experience psychologically safe cultures, they’re more likely to contribute innovative ideas.
Intentionally focusing on civility not only attracts top talent but retains that talent. Companies that prioritize transparent communication and respectful behavior may find that employees want to stay and grow their careers, which will reduce costly turnover and steer clear of disengagement.
How To Build Workplace Civility
Fostering a culture of civility requires employers to define policies and set expectations around tactics that can be put into action. Here are some key considerations to promote workplace respect and productivity:
Establish Clear Expectations
Communicating and demonstrating what is expected should be a goal of every employee from the front line to the CEO. Respectful behaviors and actions should directly align with an organization’s core values. Be prepared to openly and frequently discuss what behaviors are acceptable and unacceptable and promptly address uncivil behaviors.
Leaders Must Model Civility
Leaders set the tone for workplace culture. Leaders should consistently model respectful and inclusive behaviors, demonstrating how to handle conflict constructively while recognizing the contributions of others. When leaders visibly prioritize civility, the expectation for peers and employees to do the same becomes a standard.
Provide Training On Civility And Communication Skills
Consider providing training on the expectations of civility and respect. Focusing training on basic professional topics such as emotional intelligence, active listening and conflict resolution, can help equip all employees with the skills needed to communicate respectfully. It’s time to promote a little dissension in conversations but avoid disengagement.
Encourage Feedback And Address Incidents Promptly
Being open to receiving honest and transparent feedback helps cultivate a feedback-rich culture where employees can thrive. Consider what systems and processes are in place to allow for this transparency in feedback. If you are not yet at the place where direct communication is celebrated, prioritize a hotline or some means to welcome employees sharing concerns and inconsistencies to ensure issues are addressed promptly and fairly.
When leaders do not quickly respond to inappropriate behaviors, it sends a clear message that respect and civility are negotiable and will likely perpetuate additional incidents in the future. When employees experience being interrupted, hearing disrespectful language or raised voices, leaving others out of important conversations or being ignored for their contributions—they are less likely to feel like they could contribute their best.
Recognize And Reward Civil Behavior
Reinforce positive behaviors by recognizing employees who exemplify civility. This could be as simple as verbal recognition in team meetings or as formal as an award for fostering a respectful workplace. When employees see that civility is valued and rewarded, they are more likely to emulate those behaviors.
Building Civil Workplaces
A civil workplace doesn’t just happen. Building a culture of respect requires the fundamental step of laying the cultural foundation to ensure the right actions and behaviors help build a more resilient, adaptable and high-performing organization.
Creating a respectful workplace culture takes time, but the benefits—both tangible and intangible—are well worth the effort. By taking these practical steps, employers can build a workplace that is focused on lowering stress, lowering absenteeism, handling conflict and reducing turnover, all of which have a negative financial impact on every workplace.
In today’s work environment, leaders cannot afford to lose time and talent due to the ripple effects of incivility. Prioritizing workplace civility is a critical workplace initiative that needs attention. Everyone is accountable for creating a culture rooted in respect. When incivility is not properly managed, unnecessary time is spent managing conflicts, tackling turnover and dealing with poor performance. At the height of incivility all around us, it’s time to focus on cultivating a respectful and thriving workplace where everyone can succeed together for a better future that benefits everyone.
Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
Read the full article here
