We all want to come to work and be treated with kindness and respect. Unfortunately, my research shows that there is rampant incivility in most organizations. I found that 98% of the workers I surveyed over the past 20 years have experienced rude behavior and 99% have witnessed it. And the situation seems to be worsening. In 2011 half said they were treated badly at least once a week — up from a quarter in 1998. So what can a manager do to ensure that people on their team or in their department treat each other well?
We all want to come to work and be treated with kindness and respect. Unfortunately, my research shows that there is rampant incivility in most organizations. So what can a manager do to ensure that people on their team or in their department treat each other well? First, managers need to set expectations by articulating the organization’s and team’s values. It’s also important to define exactly what you mean by civility. But don’t dictate certain rules. Engage your team members in a discussion about what kind behavior looks like. This will engage them and empower them to keep one another accountable. Lastly, teach your employees the skills they need to treat one another respectfully: how to give and receive feedback, how to listen, and how to maintain composure.