What Makes A Workplace Somewhere People Want To Work?
Decency can be tricky because it is sometimes easy to get wrong, despite our best efforts. Although related to kindness, decency is its own thing. It may be more significant because of its impact on the workplace and its culture. Decency is a close cousin to another popular topic for us; kindness.
I recently wrote about the superpower of kindness and was pretty surprised at how popular that idea or notion is – especially at work. It seems to be a universal concept. Once reminded (especially in light of all the division and opinions of our present-day), readers gravitated to the practice of simple acts of kindness and recognizing the value that we see in others.
Decency is probably best described as more fundamental than kindness. But, if kindness is a superpower, a sense of decency is the atomic light that fuels Superman for mighty deeds. Without it, no icing sugar sweetness or cash bonus will impress people much.
We Get Used to Tolerating One Another
A toxic workplace is not hard to find. We develop habits of careless actions, reactions, and neglect however unintentional it may be. Oddly enough, we tend to hurt others when we least intend to do so. And, then, for that very reason, we are unaware of the consequences and any need we may have to apologize. It is easy to do. Sometimes work is too stressful with deadlines and multiple people wanting things from you at the same time. We behave at our most acceptable baseline. (Of course, acceptable being the operative word)
It probably goes without saying that when we are under pressure at work (or home, for that matter), civil interactions can be one of the first things to suffer.
Being decent requires work from us. We make deliberate choices to behave in thoughtful ways. We choose to be pleasant when it’s tough to do. Of course, we are emotional creatures with moods, but how we choose to manage those moods determines if we are decent towards our coworkers.
We can all reach our limits at some point. So how can we maintain a decent attitude? I offer some concepts to consider:
It’s probably no surprise that it begins with leadership.
The Decent Workplace
It starts – at the top, or the bottom, depending on your view of how leadership works.
Leadership
Leaders always have a role to play in setting an example – a benchmark of behavior. This is a given, no matter the subject. When decency is at stake, how a leader acts towards coworkers will significantly influence how coworkers behave towards each other. If the leader is self-focused and self-promoting, exploitive, abusive, and a poor communicator, you will find that behavior trickles down throughout the workforce.
OR
If leaders allow coworkers the chance to voice concerns with them and with one another and air their differences, that behavior will be the standard fare in that workplace.
Leaders can encourage staff to listen to one another and seek common ground – all the while building a solid framework for decency.
Influential leaders are always learning new skills and growing as people. Leaders need to value and show they value a culture of decency and togetherness. Choose to be vigilant and hyper-aware of how you conduct yourself, what you say (or don’t say), and how you say it.
Apologies
I have written before that all it takes to start an apology is to say you are sorry—nothing more and nothing less. In saying we are sorry, do two things: admit our guilt, and ask for forgiveness. Apologizing does not always show you were wrong (because sometimes you will not be), but it will show that you care.
Apologies are a necessary, fundamental aspect of successful interactions among coworkers. As long as workplaces continue to be occupied by humans with feelings, egos, and individual personalities, there will be—inevitably—situations that offend, irritate, or hurt someone. Apologies are wonderful, egoless, and simple ways to put things behind you and move on.
Listening
Let’s face it, effective listening at work is a skill—and it’s a skill each of us can improve. Workplace cultures are tricky business. We are together in one place for extended periods with people with whom we may not typically choose to spend our time. Therefore our workplace culture will benefit when each of us takes the time to hone our listening abilities, whether over a work matter or sandwich at lunch.
Note to self: A better listener becomes more influential. You understand because you have listened carefully enough to get to the big picture. You will be trusted and appreciated because you are more likely to show up at your workplace with more of an open mind and heart. It doesn’t get more decent than that!
Politeness
Politeness matters because it honors others. It’s hard to be rude or condescending to a coworker after being treated with respect and courtesy. Being polite shows that you care, or it at least gives the impression that you care. (I understand that we cannot possibly care about every single issue).
When people see you as a colleague who cares, your work colleagues will likely adopt a similar attitude towards you.
Authenticity.
Authenticity creates a work culture that encourages people to be more connected with themselves and each other. What follows, naturally, is a greater sense of community and loyalty toward a company or organization.
Decency Has An Effect on the Entire Organization
When employees and their leaders experience a sense of freedom to be themselves, genuine and authentic, overall job satisfaction and positive engagement will climb. In addition, you will see a significant improvement in how people treat one another. The bonus is that performance and productivity naturally improve as well.
When an organization suffers from a lack of cordial relationships, fractured departments, and uninspiring leadership, it is also most likely to suffer from a decency deficit among its workforce.
Workplaces are overwhelmingly better served by decent and kind interactions.
