How to Gain Respect at Work

For some people, being respected is a most desirable state of perception when it comes to the workplace. Of course, respect is a tricky quantity because respect often has to be earned, and sometimes when people lose respect for others it can almost never be re-earned. Still, there are various ways to earn respect in the workplace, even if it does take time. Here are a few strategies that may be effective in terms of gaining respect from supervisors and co-workers.

Do good work

One of the most obvious ways to earn respect is to do quality work on a regular basis. People respect those who can meet deadlines, solve problems, and make the company look good. In addition, earning respect is often about doing the job "above and beyond the call of duty" which essentially means that people do more than they were asked to do. Granted, going beyond directed parameters may bring a bit of risk if a supervisor did not want a person to do more than was asked, but oftentimes people appreciate extra effort. The key is not to stray too far from the instructions and put the supervisor or the company at risk.

Be nice to people

Another way to earn respect is to treat people well. Sometimes this is difficult for some people to manufacture if they do not have certain types of personalities. Some individuals are just more friendly or pleasant than others. However, a person can still make an effort to be kind, considerate, and polite to people. In the workplace, people have a job to do, but they still like to be treated as human beings. Therefore, being sure to treat people with respect is another way to potentially earn respect.

Maintain integrity

Finally, people gain respect in the workplace when they stick to their principles. Granted, this may not make them popular in certain situations where the organization pushes their employees to "bend" the rules in order to meet certain business outcomes. However, people often appreciate a person who will stand up for what they believe in, even if another individual or a difficult situation challenges them. The person who defends their beliefs is someone who is more likely to be loyal and show perseverance in times of stress.

One thing that people have to keep in mind is that being liked and respected are not necessarily the same thing. Some people might like certain co-workers because they are fun or personable, but they may not respect their skill or ability as a professional. Reciprocally, there are times when people are respected for what they do on the job, but they may not be liked because their personality does not mesh easily with others. Obviously it is nice to have both, but sometimes people have to settle for respect in a job because that can lead to more vocational opportunities down the road. It is nice to be liked, but people are not necessarily promoted just for being fun around the office.