Being a leader in the workplace is so much more than sitting behind a desk and delegating tasks. All the best HR professionals and managers know that they need to build a reputation that garners respect from the whole team. However, there’s a fine line between being likeable and being a pushover. Here’s how leaders in the workplace build respect.
HR and management leaders know that making hard decisions is never easy, especially when you’re trying to keep everyone happy. Truly successful workplace leaders know that it’s just not possible to accomplish this. They don’t stress about getting everyone to like them. There will be people who won’t like you for reasons that you can’t control, but HR professionals and managers know that they need to stick to their policies and decisions even if other members of the team aren’t a fan. However, you can still be likeable and earn the respect of your teammates, even if someone prefers to keep their distance for whatever reason.
A great way for HR professionals and managers to build respect as leaders in the workplace is to be sincere. If your team finds out that you’ve been dishonest or that you’ve withheld information from them, their respect for you will drop right down to zero in a millisecond. Effective leaders keep their employees in the loop about what’s going on in the company. As the saying goes, honesty is the best policy. When your team feels that you are being sincere, they will trust you, and trust leads to respect.
Leaders in the workplace know and practice another key element of building respect, which is returning respect. HR professionals and managers who respect their employees create a foundation of mutual respect. Each person has different skills and knowledge. Leaders who allow this diversity to enrich the workplace show that they respect their employees’ unique talents and they in turn will see that you are someone worth respecting as well. Make sure that your team’s voices are heard by asking for feedback and setting up regular discussions on topics that impact the whole office. Your employees will appreciate you giving them the chance to be more involved in the company.
Even the best HR and management leaders make mistakes. You’re only human, after all. But what sets leaders apart is their willingness and ability to own up to their mistakes and take responsibility. Show your team that you see mistakes as an opportunity for growth and learning and they’ll follow your example in admitting their own mistakes and learning from them. When your employees see that you take responsibility and correct the mistake right away, they will see that you are someone of integrity and character and you’ll earn their respect.
Respect is an important aspect of being a leader but it’s not easy to come by. HR professionals and managers who want to boost their leadership abilities and build respect in the workplace know that it’s worth the work.