Respect is positive social attention.
Respect is fundamental for successful human interaction. All of our work proceeds more effectively and successfully when we work with respect. Offering Respect requires a conscious decision and deliberate action. It is expressed both overtly and tacitly. It is not words, but behaviors that show true respect. Showing respect is the only way to ever make respect mutual.
Calm and Respect
Calm in the face of anxiety or provocation is among the most powerful peaceful messages we can send. Being able to approach complex and possibly dangerous situations with a level head helps others manage their own anxieties and often keeps tempers damped down.
Stress is first a choice and then becomes a habit. In a context of conflict, keeping calm can provide safety and give you options. To be calm is to trust that others can respond as well. This signals respect.
Many organizations consistently provide incentives for appearing stressed out. We simultaneously get credit from colleagues and peers for being very, very busy. One result of this is that we are able to lower expectations for our job performance. After all, if we are that busy, no one can expect us to perform up to our peak capability. We certainly cannot take the time to think about what we are doing before it needs to get done!
This mindset is a trap. We owe it to the people and communities we are working with to perform at as high a level as we are capable. We can only perform at a high level if we take the time to do so, which requires much more stopping and thinking. Go slow to go fast!
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Related Topics
Collaboration and cooperation as expressions of respect
Disrespect through Aggression, Anger, and Belligerence
Organizations and Respect
Using Respect
