!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> Streamline Training & Documentation: Respect, Redux

Friday, June 23, 2006

Respect, Redux

In an earlier post, I talked about the fundamental importance of maintaining an attitude of respect in the workplace. Now I have come upon some related data in the June 2006 issue of Training magazine that suggest attention to this issue at senior levels is especially needed.

Sirota Survey Intelligence asked over 370,000 employees this question:
How would you rate management on treating employees with respect and dignity — that is, as responsible adults?

The results (VG/G is Very Good/Good; P/VP is Poor/Very Poor):

                   VG/G   P/VP
Senior management   88%     4%
Middle management   85%     5%
Supervisors         78%     9%
Non-management      69%    14%
Hourly workers      62%    19%


The gap in perceptions between the upper ranks and the folks down in trenches is striking, as is the evident need for improvement. A good starting point would be to heed Sirota's suggestions for making respect in the workplace a reality:
  • Recongnize employees for their accomplishments and provide them with the freedom to use their judgment.

  • Solicit, listen to, and act on work-related ideas from employees, such as input on how to get the work done.

  • Encourage innovtion and ideas on new and better ways of doing things.

  • Provide employees with helpful feedback and coaching on how to perform more effectively.

  • Value people as individuals and give them a sense of being included.

  • Appreciate diverse perspectives, ideas, and work styles.

  • Encourage full expression of ideas without fear of negative consequences; and listen to, and fairly handle, employees' complaints.
There is nothing astonishing in the above recommendations. As is often the case, what's needed is consistent execution of what people know (or should know) is appropriate.

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