When it comes to effective leadership, knowing that you have the respect of your employees is imperative to your success. Mutual respect between you and your team ultimately leads to more effective communication, greater employee satisfaction, and greater productivity across the organisation.
As a manager, there’s no way of monitoring your employees for the entire workday and attempting to do so will only deepen divides. So how can you ensure that your employees respect your leadership?
Communication
There are times when communicating with your team is a pleasure, but not all conversations can be positive, and when negative information has to be communicated, there may well be members of your team that are simply refusing to take what you have to say on board.
Receptiveness
Are your orders being followed properly and actioned fully? Whilst other key signs for a lack of respect may be easier to see, checking that problematic employees are listening to your orders and carrying out your tasks to the desired level will take close monitoring.
Body language
Whilst body language analysis may sound like a skill that requires hours of learning, there are some clear ways to detect respect through body language. When speaking to employees, it is important to maintain eye contact; if your employee refuses to look you in the eye, face you head on or stop moving when you speak, these may all be signs of a lack of respect.
How to earn respect
Ensure that respect is mutual. Your employees are never going to respect you if you give them no respect. Employees that feel valued by their managers are far more likely to perform well based on this fact alone.
Adopt a consistent management style. Nothing is worse for an employee than constantly shifting management techniques. If you find that your employees respond to something, stick with it and ensure that they’re aware of what is expected of them.
Admit faults. No manager is infallible; you’re going to make mistakes, and this is unavoidable, but how you deal with those mistakes is essential. Your employees are always watching your actions and whether you see it or not, they’re judging how you deal with issues. If you’ve made a mistake, own up and you’ll find that your employees take your lead and respect you more for it.
