Treating Employees with Respect

In my time as a store manager I strived to be the kind of boss that people wanted to work for. When an employee comes to work and feel like they are part of a team that cares not only about the success of the business but about the success of the individual as well they work harder, stay longer, pitch in when needed and stay happier. Here are some not so easy concepts that I am mindful of when on the clock. While this mainly applies to bosses at the store level these tips can help anyone interested contributing to a respectful workplace. 

Be Honest:
Being honest and candid with employees is important. Letting an employee know the real you allows them to reveal their real self, which leads to more trust and more connection. I would often break the facade of "polite customer service agent" when alone, in the back room or in a meeting to give my real opinion about something. I would be honest about how I felt about a conference call, e-mail or customer in order to humanize myself.

Also, be honest about your decision making process. Explain the pros and cons of decisions and ask for input. I would often ask employees what they would do to solve a problem and either offer alternatives or let them go with it. Conversely, like the shoe, I would simply solve the problem in the best way I knew how without input but then follow up with the employee later to ask them about the solution and it's effectiveness and potential alternatives. 

Do the Work:
Only when you work harder than everyone and are willing to do any task you can you expect others to do the same. My least favorite thing to hear another store manager giggle about is how they make new employees clean the toilet. I can see testing employees but making them do it because you don't want to or because you're the boss is disrespectful. Clean the toilet yourself and when people notice that it is important to you they will either do it on their own or have no excuse not to. Do the work that needs to get done and excuses will fall away. No one respects a hypocrite and a hypocrite respects no one.

No Excuses:
Take responsibility and admit when you screwed up. If you want people to be honest with you you have to be honest with them. A little humility can go a long way. Looking in the mirror instead of blaming others sets a precedent of integrity, honesty and self ownership that extends to everyone on staff.

Be Ethical:
Store managers must create an environment of safety, inclusion, and high ethical standards in order to protect the store, employees and themselves. By taking an unambiguous stance on harassment, discrimination and following important policies is the best way to maintain and protect the people that matter the most. Setting a tone of seriousness when policy violations occur and holding people accountable via HR procedures ensures that white lies do not turn into HR nightmares, or worse, legal action. Knowing the rules inside and out and making sure employees know how to report issues and solve problems will help foster a culture of respect and fairness on all sides.

Creating a culture that engenders respect on all sides requires honesty, hard work, humility and ethics and starts at the top. Respecting employees means respecting their intelligence, humanity and individualism. I believe respect can only be earned and like any relationship it is a two way street. Treat people better than you want to be treated (especially if you're a masochist) and you'll be surprised at the results.

Thanks for reading!