Respect

Emerson Eggerich has written a book called "Love and Respect". It is a relationship book for couples. (Note; It is a great book!) The premise is pretty simple. Men and women were wired differently by God. Women seek love and men seek respect in relationships. One of the more fasinating statements he makes is that in a poll they asked a rather provocative question to men. " If you had to choose that your wife could either love you or respect you (you can only have one or the other...) which would you choose? Over 80% of the men chose that they would rather be respected then loved.



In business the 'relationship" between an employee and the employer is all about respect. There is probably nothing that brings outside forces into your company faster than conflict over one simple word; "respect". It has become the "ender" and sometimes the best barometer that describes relationships that cannot be fixed or are irrevocably broken. "They don't respect us, we don't get the respect we deserve, i am tired of being dis-respected, our working conditions show no respect, how can i respect my manager when they do xxxx"; are all comments that you hear in organizations that have relationship trouble.

The thing about respect in business is that no matter how you want to look at it; just like relationships; respect is earned.

Respect is not given.
Hostile compliance is given.
"Going along to get along" is given.

Respect is earned.

Companies that have the respect of their employees got it because they earned it.

They earned it by being fair, successful, opportunistic and yes even tough. Respect is earned from employees where you create an environment where people can be successful at their jobs. Respect is earned when employees are acknowledged for their efforts, lauded for their sacrifice, encouraged when they make mistakes.

Respect is also earned when employees are held accountable for their actions, fired when they act and do things that are grounds for termination and yes even when employees have to be laid off because the business can not support their position or group. A business that makes the right choices, even the tough ones, are respected by employees.

When you have an employees (workforce)respect you can do most anything. You can compete in tough economic times, you can take risks in new markets and in todays times you can fight off outside forces that seek to change your relationship with your employees.

Too often we find ourselves looking for love from our employees when respect is what they want. In these challenging times find ways to build respect in your employee base.