This Is How to Gain Respect From Your Employees

You may have gone to management school, but be missing a key ingredient of leadership:

respect.

Having respect from your employees means they follow your examples and listen to your instructions. They’ll also be more likely to go above and beyond to do their best work for you.

You can have many traits of a great boss, but learning how to gain respect can take your team to the next level. Read on to find out how to achieve this…

Acknowledge Your Employees

To gain respect from your staff, you can start simple. That means showing your human side by having a light conversation with them, and simply asking how they are doing. Buying them coffee is a bonus.

Aside from simple small talk, you also foster an environment where employees feel like they can approach you with an issue. That also means being present, not checking your emails or taking calls when trying to solve a complex issue.

Learn From Your Staff

You may have many years in a leadership role in your given profession. However, there are always new perspectives and more to learn, which is why you should be open to it.

Listening to other’s suggestions and ideas not only potentially boosts the business, but also helps to foster a culture of collaboration. When employees feel more valued for their ideas, they’re more likely to become loyal.

Lead By Example

Instead of delegating all of the work to your staff, show them your work ethic by becoming part of the project. When you work hard and are willing to get your hands dirty, your colleagues will be able to better relate to you.

This also helps to build trust with your colleagues. Be the leader when needed, but otherwise work alongside your staff to help reach goals. How can your employees respect you, when you don’t perform some of the tasks you’re asking them to do?

Don’t Play The ‘Blame Game’

Some leaders will avoid accountability at all costs. That means if something goes wrong on a project, they immediately look for a staff member to blame or make up some other excuse.

If you’re trying to earn respect in the workplace, then admitting your mistakes is one thing you can do. It shows you’re human and can make mistakes. Your staff will appreciate your honesty, and won’t resent you for trying to displace responsibility.

Be Firm and Consistent

It’s not all fun and high-fives to gain respect. In order to truly gain respect, you have to be a firm leader. That means following through with your decisions, even if some people question it.

You should only change course when you realize the approach is wrong—not because staff is pressuring you. Also, be consistent in your leadership style—you can’t give employees the freedom to collaborate one day and then look over their shoulders constantly the next.

Learn How To Gain Respect

Being open to communication and doing some of the work are ways to earn respect and build trust with your team.

By leading by example and being accountable for your mistakes, you’re more likely to have a team that goes the extra mile. Standing by your decisions will also demonstrate you’re a leader at the same time.

Did you find this article about how to gain respect in the workplace helpful? If so, be sure to come back often for more related content.