Mike Domitrz argues that respect shouldn't have to be earned at work. When you hire someone, you've already decided they're valuable. Disrespect feels like being invisible; respect means being seen for who you actually are.
Because the moment you say to somebody, you have to earn my respect, this is a power game. This is all a power game. I have to do something to be of value to you. And people get defensive about that. Well, they do have to do something. Why? They're a human being. And by the way, your organization hired them because they saw them as value, so you should be treating them as a valued human being. And when you ask people, what does it mean to be disrespected? They say to not be seen, to not be heard, to not matter, to be invisible. Right? Those are horrific words to feel as a human being, and in the workplace, you really don't want to be feeling those feelings. So what does it feel like to be respected? To be valued and seen for exactly who I am, not just my potential. See them for who they are and treat them with respect. They have different beliefs than you. Respect the fact you have differences. It doesn't mean you agree with their differences. It doesn't mean you admire their differences, but respect the fact there are differences. We believe in freedom, right?
