5 Ways to Create a Culture of Respect
What do we mean by “a Culture of Respect?” And, what does that look like in practice?
This blog series will examine the ways we co-create a culture of respect - how we build a safe, open, brave, vulnerable, responsive community of belonging in any context.
Explore our related posts about how to apply these principles to your relationships at work, with your children, with friends and community members, and in your romantic relationships.
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1. Set boundaries
Set working agreements or otherwise state clear expectations for yourself and others. This is a crucial step to creating respectful relationships at home, at work, with our family and friends, and wherever we interact with other human beings. Be sure to have everyone agree to the boundaries or expectations, and agree to be willing to revisit them if as necessary and revise them if needed.
2. Take care of yourself…
… It’s your responsibility. You don’t have to be perfect at it, but it’s your job to figure out how you need to be cared for and communicate that to the people around you. Taking responsibility for ourselves keeps from falling into the victim narrative trap and allows us to stay present in the conversation, even when it gets difficult. Or, choose to step away to self-regulate and come back when we have the capacity.
3. Affirm each other
Your friends. Your colleagues. Your spouse. Your kid. Make it a regular ritual. Affirmations - statements about what we like and appreciate about others - fill your cup and theirs, and invite an atmosphere of positivity. They also makes people more accepting of critical feedback when they feel secure in their value.
4. Be in dialogue
Keep conversations open and flowing both ways. Adopt the mantra “probably incorrect, definitely incomplete” when you consider your knowledge of others, and then seek to understand - it costs nothing to listen. When you speak, take risks and practice vulnerability. Sharing and listening in an ongoing process of deepening connection is how we relate to each other as human beings.
5. Believe people
When someone shares their experience with you, honor it. When they make a request for how they want to be treated, try to fulfill it. Ask questions if you feel resistance or resentment come up when someone advocates for themself: Where is the resistance coming from? What do you need to learn (or unlearn) in order to be an ally? It’s the way you want to be treated, and it takes far less energy than undermining and invalidating others.
What does a Culture of Respect look like for you? Which of these 5 principles do you find easy? Which are challenging for you? Continue the Conversation with a comment!
