A speaker asks what the opposite of workplace violence is. Audiences shout support, compassion, empathy. Most say respect. But respect isn't the goal, the speaker argues. It's the bare minimum. A healthy workplace needs to aim higher.
What's the extreme opposite? What's in that corner? What's the extreme opposite of workplace violence? Yell some answers. What we want to have happen. What's the to-do? And look how quiet we are, because we don't have these conversations. Sometimes we'll yell— just yell, try and guess. What word do you think you want to see up there that would be a positive? Support. Support, compassion, great answers. Any others? Empathy, promotion. Here's the one that we hear most often. Ready? Respect. Respect. But here's the fascinating part. Respect is not a standard of excellence. Respect is the bare minimum requirement. Can you imagine if I walked up to you and said, my job is so amazing, they actually treat me with respect. Isn't that incredible? You'd all be like, where did you work before this job? That is such a horrifically low standard.
