How to promote workplace core values & respect
Promoting workplace core values and respect requires a strategic approach that goes beyond just written policies.
It involves embedding guiding principles into daily operations, modeling inclusive behaviors from leadership down, and using consistent communication channels to recognize and reinforce positive actions across the organization.
If you fail to ensure your values are reflected throughout your company, it can have serious ramifications. Disrespect is a silent business killer. It fuels disengagement, stifles innovation, and drives top talent out the door – costing companies far more than they realize.
Let’s look at why respect at work is key to success, and how internal communicators can integrate it into their employee engagement strategy.
Workplace respect is a competitive advantage
Just 4 in 10 employees in the US feel respected at work. This all-time low fuels disengagement, reduces job satisfaction, and breeds negativity, particularly among frontline workers.
For internal communicators, this translates to a workforce less receptive to messaging, less likely to participate in initiatives, and more prone to internal discord.
Respect isn’t just a ‘nice-to-have.’ It’s fundamental to engagement, collaboration, and good communication. Employees who report a lack of respect in the workplace are likely to be on the sharp end of ‘legally questionable’ behavior – and they’re more likely to leave.
Gallup suggests frequent, meaningful manager-employee conversations as a key solution, which has the ability to boost engagement by up to four times. Weekly check-ins – not just policies – help leaders address respect gaps, align work and communication styles with employee preferences, and create a culture where people feel heard and valued.
“Respect isn’t just something that makes us feel good,” says Lauren Patton, Director of Internal Communications & Engagement at Appspace. “It’s a competitive advantage. When people in an organization feel respected, they feel safe.”
Screaming on the inside: The internal cost of incivility
A decline in respect at work is compounded by workplace incivility, which doesn’t just damage morale but actively silences employees, killing opportunities for innovation.
Both men and women withhold ideas in toxic work environments, but women do so more often because they don’t feel safe and fear a gender backlash.
Companies with a culture of incivility aren’t just losing ideas. They’re disproportionately losing diverse perspectives. This significantly affects productivity, attracting and retaining talent, and the bottom line.
Staying silent also has a negative effect on employees’ prospects. Those who speak up are more often seen as having leadership potential and higher status. But if the environment feels hostile, even confident employees may decide to keep ideas to themselves. So, instead of trying to ‘fix’ employees by boosting confidence, leaders should fix the culture.
When civility improves, diverse voices thrive, and so does the business.
What are company values and why are they important?
To build a respectful culture, you have to start with your foundation. But what are company values, really? They’re the core beliefs and guiding principles that dictate behavior and action within your organization.
Why are corporate values important? Because without them, employees lack a compass for decision-making. Values like “integrity,” “innovation,” and “respect” aren’t just buzzwords; they are the standards by which you hire, fire, and reward.
When you clearly define your workplace core values, you give your team a roadmap for how to treat one another, ensuring that respect is baked into the DNA of your company.
How internal comms leaders can help build a respectful culture
For leaders, supporting a culture of respect isn’t a soft skill – it’s a strategic imperative. And leaders need to be proactive.
Building a culture of respect doesn’t happen overnight, but there are practical steps you can take to get there.
- Develop communication guides for managers. Create talking points, coaching sessions, and best practices for check-ins that reinforce respect, clarify expectations, and address concerns early.
- Champion a culture of empathy. Promote a clear code of conduct that emphasizes respectful communication and behavior. Develop training programs on diversity, inclusion, and effective interpersonal communication. Work with leadership to model those behaviors from the top down.
- Measure and analyze internal culture. Use internal surveys, feedback tools, and communication analytics to track workplace culture over time. Identify red flags indicating a toxic or uncivil environment and ensure all voices are heard. Analyze the data and provide actionable insights and recommendations to leadership.
- Promote flexible work practices. Advocate for flexible work policies and best practices that respect individual preferences and work-life balance. Communicate these policies clearly and ensure they are implemented fairly.
- Create accountability for leadership communications. Work with leadership to integrate respect and inclusivity into their messaging and communications. Help develop measures that reflect these values and communicate their importance throughout the organization.
Build out your own workplace core values
“Actively soliciting feedback and demonstrating a commitment to action signals that everyone’s voices are valued and have an impact,” says Lauren.
“The right employee comms solution can help create a positive and respectful workplace culture. These tools can help facilitate two-way communication, allowing people to easily share their perspectives and concerns and create psychological safety. They also provide a channel for leadership to communicate transparently and demonstrate accountability.”
Choose a solution that helps you embed these core values into daily operations by keeping them visible. Whether it’s highlighting employee recognition on digital signage, sharing leadership stories through your employee app, or publishing diversity initiatives to your intranet, you can ensure your values are always front and center.
By leveraging these tools, you can build a respectful workplace culture where every employee feels connected, valued, and empowered to do their best work.
