4 ways to command respect in your workplace

4 ways to command respect in your workplace4 ways to command respect in your workplaceExcelling at a fast-paced job can be challenging - especially when you feel like youre elend being respected enough for your ideas and contributions.But how do you earn the respect of those you work with? And how do you deal with public displays of disrespect?Remember that respect is a two-way streetIf you want to know why you might not be getting the respect you want, stop and thinkare you doing anything to disrespect others?Some of the top offenders include interrupting others while theyre speaking, refusing to admit your mistakes and criticizing others publicly.Interrupting others while theyre speaking is the ultimate sign of disrespect. So stop doing it. Immediately. Bite your tongue and spend your time listening to understand, not to reply, business consultant Lisa Quast writesin Forbes,While you can add your two cents after hearing the other person out, its better to give them the floor and actively try to understand their perspective instead of talking over them.Another red flag? Refusing to admit your mistakes - or worse, blaming them on others - is a surefire way to make people lose respect for you.If you pretend that youve never done anything wrong and then find ways to excuse your failures or blame them on others, youll lose the respect of everyone, professional development expert Jeff Havens, author of the book Unleash Your hausintern Tyrant writesinFast Company. Failure is only failure when you dont learn anything from it, and you cant learn anything when you pretend that you never actually failed.Other big offenders treating people poorly because their titles are lower than yours, only looking out for your own self-interest, refusing to listen to suggestions from others and creating a toxic work environment.In Dale Carnegies seminal book, How to Make Friends and Influence People, he writes of a tyrant boss who eventually became willing to learn how to change his ways.For years he had driven and criticized and condemned his employees without stint or discretion. Kindness, words of appreciation and encouragement were alien to his lips, Carnegie explains in the book, After studying the principles discussed in this book, this employer sharply altered his philosophy of life. His organization is now inspired by a new loyalty, a new enthusiasm, a new spirit of teamwork.After all, no one wants to deal with a bully at work.Be humble,but not insecureTheres a difference between being grounded and groveling.If you are constantly putting yourself down in an effort to appear humble, you might run the risk of losing the respect of others, who could mistake your self-effacement for insecurity.Be willing to admit your flaws, but do not focus on them. You should have some self-depreciation, but it should be paired with self-confidence, Entrepreneur and author Peter Daisyme, co-founder of free web platform Hostt, writes inEntrepreneur.People generally wil l not respect a leader who appears insecure and continuously mentions their shortcomings. Show your human side but maintain a sense of bravado and self-assurance.So, if youre constantly talking about what you dont understand or what youre not good at, people might start to believe you.Displaying confidence can go a long way.Let your work speak for itself, and take pride in your accomplishments. Others will see your enthusiasm and respond positively.Avoid sending mixed messagesEmpty promises are a respect-killer in the workplace. If your coworkers cant count on you to follow through, theyre going to eventually stop listening.What you actually do matters much more than what you say youre going to do. Anyone can talk a big game or over-promise, but the actual follow-through is what creates lasting success,writes web designer and bestselling author Paul Jarvis.Entrepreneur and author Kevin Daum writes that leaders should be consistent to get respect.If you find you lack credibility, its probably because you are saying one thing and doing another. People do pay attention to what you say until you give them reason not to by doing the opposite. You dont have to be predictable, just dont be a hypocrite, Daum writesinInc.Dont micromanageHovering - literally or metaphorically- is not effective.Effective delegation is an important part of becoming a good leader,Cheri Swales writes onMonster.com. Understand that employees are looking to develop their skills, so when you delegate, give them an important task to accomplish. Then stand back and let them figure out how to do it. When you tell employees how to do the task, they feel mistrusted and perhaps worthless. It is difficult to trust a leader who cant let go, Swales writes.