As a 20-plus-year career coaching veteran, I often work with people who feel they aren’t getting enough respect from their manager or peers. It not only hurts their feelings and self-confidence, but they
also fear it’s hurting their chances of professional growth.
For example, are you
getting repeatedly passed over for promotion or to work on special projects? Or do you feel excluded from higher-level meetings or email communications that you think you should be included in?
This can be a sign that you are not seen by those involved as critical to the process. Respect for your contributions is how you earn those types of opportunities.
In my experience, those who command respect in the workplace often embody distinct qualities that set them apart. Here are five core traits of such individuals:
People are also reading…
1. Esteemed professionals view themselves as independent contractors, or as I like to say, businesses-of-one, rather than traditional employees. This mindset promotes a partnership approach with their employers, emphasizing mutual respect and the establishment of professional boundaries.
2. Rather than dwelling on problems, respected professionals approach challenges with curiosity. They engage in constructive conversations, seeking to understand issues deeply before proposing solutions.
3. These individuals prefer to engage colleagues and superiors through questions rather than directives. This approach encourages collaboration and consensus, enhancing their respect among peers.
4. They can quantify their achievements. Instead of boasting about personal traits, they highlight tangible results and the impact of their work. This demonstrates their value to the organization.
5. Initially aligning with others’ views before gently introducing their own differing perspectives, respected professionals master the art of constructive disagreement. This strategy helps maintain positive relationships even in the face of differing opinions.
