The Power of Civility in the Workplace

Defining Success Through Our Actions

Every day, we answer a simple question without even realizing it: Who do you want to be? Our actions define the answer to that question more than anything else. It’s not about what we say, but how we show up and treat people that really matters. Whether we lift people up by respecting them, making them feel valued, appreciated, and heard, or we hold people down by making them feel small, insulted, disregarded, or excluded, it all reflects who we choose to be.

Throughout my life, I’ve experienced the effects of incivility firsthand. I recall walking into a stuffy hospital room and seeing my dad, who had been hospitalized due to work-related stress caused by an uncivil boss. Later, in my first job out of college, I spent a year going to work every day and hearing things from coworkers like, “Are you an idiot? That’s not how it’s done,” and “If I wanted your opinion, I’d ask.” It was then that I realized the negative impact of incivility and decided to study its effects.

Incivility is defined as disrespect or rudeness, which includes a wide range of behaviors from mocking or belittling someone to telling offensive jokes and texting during meetings. The effects of incivility are far-reaching and can affect performance and the bottom line of businesses. In fact, after conducting a survey, my colleagues and I found that incivility was costing one organization an estimated $12 million a year.

One of the most eye-opening findings from our study was that incivility affected not only those who experienced it but also those who witnessed it. Witnessing uncivil behavior caused people to function much worse, and their performance decreased significantly. Incivility is like a virus, it’s contagious, and we can become carriers of it just by being around it. This is not confined to the workplace, as we can catch this virus anywhere, including our homes, online, in schools, and in our communities.

Civility and respect can be used to boost an organization’s performance. When Doug Conant took over as CEO of Campbell’s Soup Company, he turned things around by making employees feel valued through simple acts like making eye contact and saying hello. Civility lifts people up and helps them perform at their best.

So, who do you want to be? The answer is up to you. It’s the small things that make a big difference, like thanking people, sharing credit, listening attentively, humbly asking questions, acknowledging others, and smiling. By being civil, we can create a more productive, creative, helpful, happy, and healthy environment for everyone. Let’s start spreading civility and put an end to the incivility bug. After all, it pays.

The High Cost of Incivility in the Workplace

In today’s fast-paced business environment, companies are always looking for ways to improve their performance and bottom line. However, one often overlooked factor that can have a significant impact on a company’s success is incivility in the workplace. Incivility is defined as rude or disrespectful behavior, and it can take many forms, such as interrupting someone, talking over them, or belittling them.

The effects of incivility on workplace performance are substantial. Employees who experience incivility are more likely to feel stressed, anxious, and unhappy, which can lead to decreased job satisfaction and productivity. Furthermore, incivility can lead to a toxic work environment, with employees avoiding each other or engaging in retaliatory behavior. This, in turn, can create a culture of fear, distrust, and disengagement that can ultimately harm the company’s bottom line.

Research shows that the cost of incivility in the workplace is significant. One study found that employees who experienced incivility were less productive, made more errors, and were more likely to quit their jobs. Another study estimated that the cost of incivility to a typical company with 100 employees could be as much as $14,000 per year in lost productivity.

So, what can companies do to prevent incivility in the workplace? One approach is to foster a culture of respect and empathy. This can be achieved through training programs that teach employees how to communicate effectively and respectfully, as well as by modeling positive behavior from the top down. It’s also important for companies to have clear policies in place for dealing with incivility, including a zero-tolerance policy for harassment and discrimination.

Ultimately, creating a workplace culture of respect and civility can lead to improved performance, increased employee satisfaction, and a healthier bottom line. By recognizing the cost of incivility and taking proactive steps to prevent it, companies can create a positive work environment that benefits everyone involved.

The Contagious Nature of Incivility: How Witnessing Rudeness Affects Us

We’ve all experienced or witnessed rudeness at some point in our lives, whether it’s in the workplace or out in public. But did you know that incivility is not only harmful to the person on the receiving end, but it can also affect those who witness it? In fact, research shows that witnessing incivility can have a contagious effect on individuals and can lead to a decline in their own behavior and performance.

When we witness incivility, our brains can perceive it as a threat, activating our fight-or-flight response. This can lead to increased stress levels and a decrease in our ability to focus and perform tasks effectively. We may also become more likely to engage in uncivil behavior ourselves as a way to cope with the stress.

Furthermore, witnessing incivility can create a toxic work culture that erodes trust, collaboration, and productivity. It can also lead to increased absenteeism, turnover, and a decline in overall job satisfaction.

So what can we do to combat the contagious nature of incivility? It starts with setting a positive example ourselves and treating others with respect and kindness. We can also speak up when we witness incivility and address the behavior in a constructive and non-confrontational manner. Creating a culture of civility and respect can have a ripple effect, leading to a more positive and productive workplace for everyone involved.

Incivility and Medical Errors: The Dangerous Link

Incivility in the medical field can lead to serious consequences, including medical errors. When doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals are treated rudely or disrespectfully, their performance can suffer, leading to mistakes that can harm patients.

Studies have shown that even minor incidents of incivility can have a significant impact on medical errors. For example, a study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology found that when surgeons were exposed to rude behavior, their performance on a surgical task decreased by 53 percent.

Incivility can also lead to communication breakdowns among healthcare teams, which can further contribute to medical errors. When healthcare professionals are not communicating effectively, important information can be missed, leading to mistakes in diagnosis, treatment, or medication.

It’s crucial for healthcare organizations to take steps to address incivility in the workplace and promote a culture of respect and professionalism. This can include training programs, clear policies and procedures for addressing incivility, and leadership support for creating a positive work environment. By promoting a culture of civility, healthcare organizations can improve patient safety and outcomes.

The Importance of Addressing Concerns About Civility

While it’s clear that civility is important in many different areas of life, there are some who are skeptical about its impact. Some argue that efforts to promote civility are simply a way of suppressing dissenting voices or stifling debate. Others worry that focusing on civility might actually make people less likely to speak up about issues they feel passionately about.

These concerns are understandable, but it’s important to remember that promoting civility doesn’t mean suppressing disagreement or stifling debate. Instead, it’s about finding ways to express those disagreements and engage in debate in a respectful and constructive way. This allows for a more productive exchange of ideas and can lead to better outcomes for everyone involved.

Additionally, concerns about civility often stem from misunderstandings about what it means. Some may think that being civil means being passive or avoiding confrontation altogether. However, this is not the case. Civility simply means treating others with respect and dignity, even when we disagree with them. It’s about recognizing that we’re all human beings with our own thoughts, feelings, and experiences, and approaching others with empathy and kindness.

Ultimately, it’s important to address concerns about civility so that we can work together to create a more respectful, productive, and inclusive society. By promoting civility, we can foster an environment in which everyone feels valued and heard, and we can work towards common goals that benefit us all.

Civility Pays: The Importance of Respect in Leadership

In the business world, leadership is often associated with authority, power, and control. However, true leadership goes beyond these characteristics, as it requires the ability to inspire, motivate, and respect others. A good leader should create a positive and productive work environment, where employees feel valued and respected.

When leaders prioritize civility and respect, they create a culture of trust and collaboration. This culture encourages open communication, innovation, and teamwork, which leads to increased employee satisfaction, better customer service, and improved organizational performance.

Leaders who prioritize civility and respect are more likely to have loyal and committed employees, which reduces turnover and recruitment costs. Moreover, when employees feel valued and respected, they are more engaged and productive, which translates into higher profits for the organization.

However, creating a respectful and civil work environment is not always easy. It requires leaders to model the behavior they expect from their employees and to hold everyone accountable for their actions. Leaders should also provide training and resources to help their employees understand the importance of civility and respect.

In summary, civility and respect are crucial elements of effective leadership. By prioritizing these values, leaders can create a positive work culture that fosters collaboration, trust, and innovation, leading to improved organizational performance and increased profits.

The Power of Small Acts: How Civility Can Boost an Organization’s Performance

In the workplace, small acts of kindness and respect can go a long way. Civility not only creates a positive work environment but it also has the power to boost an organization’s overall performance.

Employees who feel valued and respected by their colleagues and superiors are more likely to feel motivated and engaged in their work. They are also less likely to experience stress and burnout, which can lead to decreased productivity and increased turnover rates.

Additionally, when employees are encouraged to treat each other with respect and kindness, they are more likely to collaborate and work together effectively. This can lead to improved problem-solving and decision-making skills, as well as increased creativity and innovation.

It’s important to note that fostering a culture of civility takes effort and commitment from everyone in the organization, from top-level executives to entry-level employees. But the benefits are well worth it. By promoting kindness and respect in the workplace, organizations can create a more positive and productive work environment, leading to increased job satisfaction and success for all involved.

The Civility Revolution: Ending the Incivility Bug and Spreading Civility

Civility is a powerful force that can change our lives and the world around us. As we have seen, incivility can have serious negative consequences, including decreased performance, increased stress, and even medical errors.

So, how can we put an end to incivility and promote civility in our workplaces and communities? It starts with each of us. We can all make a difference by being more mindful of our own behavior and treating others with respect and kindness.

Small acts of civility, such as saying “please” and “thank you,” holding the door for someone, or giving a genuine compliment, can have a big impact on others and create a ripple effect of positivity.

It’s also important for leaders to set the tone for civility in their organizations. By modeling respectful behavior, creating a culture of inclusion, and addressing incivility when it occurs, leaders can create a more positive and productive work environment.

But promoting civility isn’t just the responsibility of leaders. It’s up to all of us to work together to create a culture of respect and kindness. We can challenge ourselves to be more patient, empathetic, and understanding. We can choose to respond to others with grace and forgiveness instead of anger and judgment.

The civility revolution starts with each of us. By making small changes in our own behavior and treating others with respect and kindness, we can create a better world for ourselves and those around us.

Conclusion

In a world where incivility and disrespect seem to be increasingly prevalent, it’s more important than ever to understand the impact of our actions and strive towards building a more civil and respectful society. From the workplace to our personal relationships, the way we treat others can have a profound effect on their well-being and performance, as well as our own.

Through the insights shared in this series, we’ve learned that even small acts of kindness and respect can make a significant difference. Whether it’s a friendly smile, a kind word, or a willingness to listen, these actions can create a positive ripple effect that can improve the culture and performance of an entire organization.

At the same time, it’s important to recognize the dangers of incivility and the impact it can have on individuals, teams, and even entire organizations. By understanding these risks, we can take steps to prevent and address incivility in our own lives and work to create a more respectful and positive environment for everyone.

In the end, the power of civility lies in each and every one of us. By committing to treating others with respect and kindness, we can create a more harmonious and productive world.