Earn respect without being a bully

The work environment can sometimes be frustrating yet at the same time be a place where workers can go about their duties happily. This, may, however, not happen if the relationship between the supervisor and his team members is sour.

One of the easiest ways a good relationship between a boss and their subordinate can be achieved, according to Dr Simon Nantamu, an organisational psychologist and lecturer, is through both parties having respect for each other.

However, he says, at times, this may be hard to achieve since some bosses do the opposite.

“Some bosses tend to be bossy thinking that this would make their subordinates respect them more,” he says. Being bossy, he argues, sometimes comes as a result of them being insecure.

Additionally, Dr Nantamu says: “some bosses just lack good managerial skills and therefore end up being bossy thinking that this is how it should be. It is common amongst people who are not well experienced in managing employees.”

According to Micheal Mwesezi, a human resource expert, one of the ways any boss can earn respect at their work place is through maintaining a positive attitude.

“In most cases, people who are negative all the time receive less respect or no respect at all. “Even when you know one of your subordinates makes you feel like you are being disrespected, just keep a positive attitude and give them time.

“Show them your good side,” he says. With time, Mwesezi adds, “one can easily gain respect.”

Value differences: Every employee is unique. It is important that a boss values the differences between their employees. Mwesezi says not valuing differences is likely to make the boss favour some employees, and treat others unfairly.

This, he says, kills morale at the workplace thus affecting productivity.

Mwesezi also says one of the best ways a boss can show they value the differences between their employees is by asking for their input when working on projects.

“You can also seek their opinion about something that you entirely have the authoritative power to decide even when it completely does not concern them. Confide in them on issues that they would even consider hard to work out,” he adds.

Know what you want: People usually have no respect for those who show signs that they have no clue about what exactly they want. “If you are managing a production line, make it clear to them how you want to achieve the set goals.

“If working for extra days is one of those ways you think production deadlines can be easily met then make it clear to them, but don’t forget to seek their opinion about how you want certain things done,” says Mwesezi.

This, he says, is likely to put you in control and at the same time earn you respect.

Be exemplary: “Being exemplary is one of the ways a boss can easily earn respect. In this case, if one of the regulations you set at your workplace is to start work by 8am, then be the first person to do it. It is dangerous to instruct your subordinates to do something and yet you are doing the opposite,” says Mwesezi.

Be a problem solver: Workplaces, just like any other place, often have a number of problems, regardless of the company or organisation. It is, therefore, important that a leader is able to solve some of the problems that they could be facing.

One of the ways a leader can know what kinds of problems team members are facing is by interacting with them more frequently. This can be in a meeting with them or even during breakfast or lunch breaks.

Once a team leader works out how to handle their team, then they do not have to get nasty to assert their powers.