How to Command Respect Professionally
I think sometimes we forget that regardless of our position in a company, we deserve respect.
We’ve all been there before. You’re working at a job, but you have people who just don’t respect you. Sometimes, it has to do with a generational gap; other times; they’re just not a nice person. They act passive-aggressively each chance they get, and you usually just grit your teeth and continue about your day.
Stop that!
It’s time to be an advocate for yourself. No one gets to treat anyone any kind of way just because they can. It’s 2020, and it’s time for people to be adults and learn how to communicate effectively.
I know it can be difficult navigating instances like this, but the more you assert yourself, the better it will be for you in the long run.
Here are some tips I follow to command respect:
Keep Emotions out of it.
I know it can be frustrating, but you have to remember that it is a place of business. Never confront a problem of disrespect while you’re emotionally charged. Take a day or two to sit with what happened so you can gather your thoughts, then confront the problem with a clear mind.
Stick to the facts.
Sometimes when we try to express ourselves, we start to think of everything else that has bothered us, but it’s important to stick to the facts of the situation you are speaking about. If you have to, keep a running list so that you can always refer back to it and have specific examples.
Be Accountable.
This is a big one that most people miss. You have to be accountable for your actions and what you need to work on. This doesn’t mean take the blame, but we have to think about how our actions may cause people to react to us. This doesn’t warrant disrespect, but maybe by you acknowledging that you may have misunderstood can make a difference.
Be Direct but respectful.
Don’t sugarcoat anything. Speak to the situation and how it made you feel and how you hope to move forward. We tend to try to downplay things to pacify the situation, but we can’t when we genuinely want to get our point across. You can be assertive without being disrespectful.
Following these tips won’t always be easy and it is a learning process, but never forget that you deserve respect also. It’s just sometimes you have to demand it.
