Whether you are responsible for the copy machine or a team of employees, every person deserves the same level of respect in the workplace.
At some point in your career, a boss will be little you, a co-worker will hit on you and another employee will be jealous of you. It is important to know how to handle these types of situations, so you are not disrespected, and your career is not compromised.
Here are some tips on how to gain and keep respect in the workplace:
1. Put in your work.
The best way to gain respect at the workplace is to do your job and do it well. You have heard it all before: Show up early, stay up and perform each task to the best of your abilities. When striving to gain respect and influence, you must prove that you are both worthy and capable of such responsibilities. While this should be enough, we must accept that our appearances and communication skills are also important and must be as polished as our work.
2.Try to avoid romantic and sexual relationships in the workplace.
Sometimes, meeting someone through your workplace is inevitable, but the best thing to do is to avoid it at all costs. If you are looking for a hook-up, look further than the next cubicle over. If you could potentially see yourself with someone long-term, keep it casual. Test the waters before you make a mistake that could jeopardize your credibility and ultimately, your career. With romantic work relations, your honor and respect is discredited even if you worked hard to get to where you are. People would always assume you got it through other means thus ultimately damaging your reputation and your career.
3.Emanate confidence through your speech and body language.
Your stature and demeanor must come across as confident and strong. Eye contact is also huge. The more your eyes wander, the more insecure and nervous you look. If you come across as shy, your voice and opinion will likely be overlooked. Speak firmly, clearly, and confidently in your opinions.
4.Know your place.
No matter how qualified you feel you are at your job, do not assume that you know everything. If you do not know something, ask for help. It is better to reach out than to do something wrong all by yourself. Each work environment is different, but it is important to know your place. Keeping that in mind, do not be imitated by people who are in higher positions than you are; speak to every person as an equal. If you treat people as your equals, in most cases, they will accept it. In the same regard, acknowledge every person, no matter what role he or she holds. Greet department heads and custodians with equal degrees of warmth.
6. Do not let your emotions get the best of you.
At work, you must leave all personal drama at the door. If you distract others by venting about your love life or family feuds, you will lose the respect from those who are trying to get their jobs done. Becoming overwhelmed or stressed out at work is okay, but do not let it upset you. Every person makes mistakes but becoming emotional about them will make you seem unstable and unreliable. If you feel yourself losing it, relieve yourself and take a breather outside.
7.Learn to say no.
Many people have the misconception that the way to gain respect and move up in the workplace is by being polite and doing everything asked of them. Yes, doing these things will prove your gratitude and value to your company, but it won’t make you feel appreciated or respected. Regarding the struggle between wanting to be liked and respected in the workplace, if you focus on being liked, you will surely be taken advantage of. When someone asks you to take on a lower-level task, it is okay to say that you understand it must get completed, but that you would rather focus on your required responsibilities. You must demand the respect you deserve.
8. Dress for the position you want to have.
What you wear says a lot about you and the type of attention you seek to have. When you are out at a bar, you may wear a short skirt and pumps because you want to look good with your girlfriends or get a guy to buy you a drink. But what do you want your outfit to say about you at the office? If you hope to become the CEO, dress like it. While others in your position might get away with jeans or casual tops, be the one to come in with a sharp blazer.
Follow Coca Look online: Instagram @coca_look, Facebook @ Corporate & Casual Look, LinkedIn @ Coca Insights.
Coca Look store is located at Special Plaza 1, Lagos Avenue, East Legon
