I Want To Start a Movement: With…RESPECT
I was on the expressway on my way into Philadelphia one day when the traffic came to a standstill. I had a strategy in mind for keeping my stress to a minimum, so I started to sing. My chosen song that day was “RESPECT” by Aretha Franklin, in which the singer asks for some very specific responses from her life partner. I have to say I was jamming in the car much to the entertainment of the guy in the car next to me!
Recently I learned an even more universal definition of respect — to think well of the intentions of other people. If we assume respect, we can assume people do not always do things on purpose. I have found this understanding of respect to be even more important in these difficult times. All emotional journeys start in one place; they start with how you are feeling in this moment, oftentimes surrounded by the feelings of others.
At work, we will probably encounter many situational challenges. If each of us started every day with the idea that everyone is coming from a place of good intention, imagine what we could accomplish and enjoy together. Consider this challenge (which is pretty common):
Someone announces that a paper form is about to be replaced with an online process. You will be able to use an app to change your home address and personal information at KenCrest.
Here are some possible reactions:
· “Oh No, not another change, what was wrong with the old form anyway?”
· “Oh, No, something else I need to learn how to do.”
Here are some if we started with respect:
· Someone wants us to make the change online because they think it will be better.
· I would like to learn why this might be better. Hmm, maybe it will be easier.
This change will be occurring within our agency in the coming weeks. Address changes get lost on paper on a regular basis so having an electronic system can eliminate this problem. It frustrates employees when important documents don’t arrive, because the address on file is incorrect. Out of respect, as an agency, we want to make this process easier. Of course, we may have learning to do — as some people are computer and tech savvy — while others are more challenged with technology. When everyone is able to manage their information online and can make updates much more quickly, the hope is that you can see we weren’t causing purposeful frustration; it was actually done to create a user-friendly system for everyone.
Our attitude toward a situation or person can either energize or deflate us. Our trust in each other grows when we can say that the other person has good intentions. How we approach a situation can really determine how we will react to it. If we remain in the front seat and assume everyone is operating from a place of respect; we will give ourselves an opportunity to respond to situations like these with grace and dignity.
It is our choice to think well, or not, of our co-workers. There will be times we might want them to slow down or give us more time to adjust. If we assume they are operating from a place of respect, we can expect them to think well of us, and respect us; so that we are able to get our needs met while they do the same. This balance assumed best intentions and general understanding that is the real R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Now you know what it means to me!
