How to show respect at work: Examples and tips

Respect is a fundamental part of any healthy and productive workplace. It goes beyond just minding your Ps and Qs—it means valuing your teammates’ contributions, perspectives and personal boundaries. But what exactly does respect in the workplace look like?

In a respectful workplace, everyone feels valued, and people are more likely to contribute and collaborate. It’s about treating others with dignity, listening to their ideas, and showing you care about the: their opinions, their input and their overall wellbeing. In contrast, a lack of respect can lead to conflicts and low morale.

In this article, we explore what respect in the workplace looks like, provide examples of how you can show respect, and explain why respect is essential to a positive work environment.

What does respect at work mean?

Respect in the workplace means showing consideration for other people’s feelings, viewpoints and differences. It involves treating everyone with fairness and courtesy, regardless of their background, job title or personality.

In a respectful work environment, your unique strengths, experiences and weaknesses are recognised. You welcome the different perspectives your colleagues bring to the table, so they feel comfortable and included in the team, even if you don't always agree. 

Respect is something you should show regardless of whether you get along with someone or share their values and opinions. Even people you can’t relate to deserve to be respected, the same way you expect them to show respect to you.

Why is respect important?

Respect is important in the workplace because jobs typically bring together people with different personalities, skills and ideas. Without respect, there'd be constant conflict, to the point where work suffers and morale drops. On the other hand, teams with mutual respect are stronger, and have better collaboration and higher morale. Respect is the foundation of a positive workplace culture.

Here are some benefits of respect in the workplace:

• It makes collaboration easier. When people communicate respectfully and listen to one another, teamwork comes more easily. 

• It boosts productivity. In a respectful workplace, people are more likely to support one another to get things done. You’re also less likely to get sidetracked by conflicts.

• It lays the groundwork for innovation. When you know your perspective will be heard and valued, you’re more likely to share your ideas. A safe and respectful work culture gives people the confidence to take creative risks.

• It helps employees feel engaged and fulfilled. It’s easier to maintain a positive attitude at work when you know your colleagues appreciate your work and respect your feelings. 

What does respect in the workplace look like?

Respect in the workplace translates to an environment where people can be themselves. This can show in lots of different ways – here are four examples of how respect in the workplace can look. 

1. Diversity and inclusion

In a workplace that encourages respect, people from different backgrounds and of different ages and abilities feel valued, included and accepted. Respecting diversity means welcoming different ways of thinking and treating everyone as an equal part of the team. Everyone should have a sense of belonging and feel safe enough to share their unique point of view.

2. Equal opportunities

Respect and equal opportunity in the workplace are closely connected. Both are about fairness and valuing people for who they are and what they contribute. Respecting people’s differences means acting without bias – if you’re a leader, that means evaluating team members fairly, based on their skills and achievements, without prejudice. 

3. Constructive feedback

Feedback without respect is detrimental to morale and motivation, but constructive criticism delivered empathetically can be encouraging. Respectful eedback focuses on the task rather than the personl; it's specific and provides guidance for improvement.

4. Trust and dignity

Respect in the workplace also looks like trusting others to do their jobs – and treating them with dignity, even if they make a mistake. With a respectful and trusting workplace culture, you and your teammates can rely on each other’s support and work without being afraid of failure. 

12 examples of how to show respect in the workplace 

You can show respect in the workplace in every interaction with coworkers. Here are 12 examples of how to show someone respect at work.

1. Be mindful of their time

You can show respect to your coworkers by not using up their time unnecessarily. Be punctual, complete your work on time, don’t interrupt them when they’re busy, and don’t invite them to meetings where they're not essential. 

Example: You want to chat with a coworker about a project you’re working on, but you they’re rushing to get some of their own work completed. You send them an email that they can answer in their own time, instead of scheduling a meeting or walking over to their desk to interrupt them. 

2. Listen actively when others speak

Giving someone your full attention is one of the easiest ways to show respect. Stop working, turn in their direction, and don’t interrupt them. Engage in the conversation in appropriate ways, like asking a clarifying question or saying “Got it – thanks!”

Example: You don’t look at your laptop or phone during meetings, you just focus on what the person speaking is saying, and take notes if you need to. You ask questions, if appropriate, to show you’re invested in what they're saying. 

3. Be inclusive in conversations

In a group setting, you make a point to listen to everyone’s contributions. It’s natural to be closer to some of your colleagues than others, but making an effort to interact with everyone during meetings and social events shows you respect them, even if they’re not part of your inner circle. 

Example: You notice one of the newer team members not speaking much during a team lunch. You ask them an ice-breaker question, to see if they’re keen to join the conversation. 

4. Support team decisions, even if you disagree

Once a group decision is made, it’s respectful to support it and focus on moving forward. You don’t have to pretend to agree, but you also shouldn't complain or speak negatively about the choice. Being respectful means respecting others’ opinions, especially when you disagree. 

Example: Your team votes for using a new project management program. You don’t complain; you accept that in this case, you were outvoted. You respect that others have a different opinion to you.

5. Recognise their achievements

Who doesn’t love getting a compliment for a job well done? Whether you’re a leader or a team member, celebrating your colleagues’ accomplishments makes them feel valued and appreciated. 

Example: A coworker gets a promotion, and you write a quick congratulations email to acknowledge their hard work.

6. Be aware of email tone 

Emails can easily come across as harsh, especially if they’re short or rushed. Without body language and other in-person cues, it’s easy to misinterpret someone’s attitude. Before you hit send on a request, re-read your message to make sure it sounds respectful. 

Example: Instead of writing, “Can you send this ASAP?”, you could say, “I need this pretty urgently – could you please send it through when you have a moment? Sorry for rushing you!”

7. Offer help

If you notice someone struggling, offer your support. Even small gestures like checking in can make a big difference as it helps create a caring workplace culture.

Example: You notice your colleague staying late to finish something before the end of the day. You ask if you can give them a hand before clocking off. 

8. Show empathy

Everyone has challenges outside of work. Respect means being empathetic to coworkers who are having a hard time, whether it's to do with work or it's something else. Practise respect by showing compassion. 

Example: When a team member is going through something that affects their work, avoid gossiping or speaking negatively about it.

9. Invite two-way feedback

If you’re a leader or manager, it’s important to encourage your team to share their opinions and perspectives. Show respect by taking action in response to their feedback – it shows that their input is important.

Example: You can encourage two-way feedback by setting up channels that make it easy for employees to share their thoughts. Set aside time for them to raise concerns during meetings and set up regular 1:1s to check in with each person individually.

10. Give others due credit

When others help you succeed, make it a point to share the credit. This is doubly important if you’re a manager or supervisor. Let leadership know that your whole team deserves credit, and make sure everyone gets rewarded fairly. 

Example: You notice how much a junior has worked on their part for the team’s monthly report. You show appreciation during a weekly meeting, letting the rest of the team know how much they’ve contributed. 

11. Be open-minded to differences

Everyone has a right to their own opinions – and showing respect means listening to ideas that conflict with yours. If someone is sharing an idea that you don’t agree with, don’t interrupt or try to prove them wrong, just listen and take what they’re saying onboard.

Example: A teammate has a different opinion on the best way to do a certain task. You respond with, “That’s a fair point – I hadn’t considered it that way.”

12. Respect personal boundaries

Everyone has their own preferred ways of communicating and collaborating. Respect means accepting and abiding by people's boundaries.

Example: You know that your colleague likes to focus on work in the mornings, so you show respect by not distracting them or interrupting them.

A little respect in the workplace goes a long way. By showing people courtesy and valuing their contributions you can help build a supportive workplace culture where people – including you – feel comfortable being themselves and empowered to do their best work. By practising respect in small ways every day, you help create a happier and more enjoyable workplace for everyone.

FAQs

What is respect?

Respect means treating others with kindness, fairness, and consideration. At work, it involves valuing different viewpoints, being courteous, and recognising each person’s worth.

What are some common examples of disrespectful behaviour at work?

Talking over others, sending rude messages, gossiping, ignoring boundaries, or making dismissive comments are all examples of disrespect. These behaviours can damage trust and team morale.

Can showing respect help with career growth?

Yes. Being respectful makes you a better teammate and builds strong relationships. It can also show leadership potential, especially if you’re consistent and inclusive in your approach.

How can I build a more respectful team culture?

The best way to build a respectful team culture is to lead by example. Encourage open communication, acknowledge everyone’s contributions, and create space for feedback. Treat all team members with fairness and dignity.

How do I handle it if I feel someone is disrespecting me?

If you feel safe, speak to the person privately and explain how their behaviour made you feel. If the issue continues, raise it with your manager or HR team and ask for support.