Dive Brief:

• When it comes to garnering commitment and engagement from employees, there’s one thing that leaders need to demonstrate: respect.
• No other leadership behavior had a bigger effect on employees across the outcomes measured in a Harvard Business Review study.
• Being treated with respect was more important to employees than recognition and appreciation, communicating an inspiring vision, providing useful feedback—or even opportunities for learning, growth, and development.

Dive Insight:

In an article in the HBR, author Christine Porath, an associate professor at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, writes that even when leaders know that showing respect is critical, many struggle to demonstrate it. She suggests the following: Ask for focused feedback on your best behaviors; discover your shortcomings; work with a coach; ask, specifically, how you can improve; enlist your team in keeping you accountable, and finally, make time for reflection.

"Armed with this information, you can begin tweaking your behavior to enhance your influence and effectiveness. Small acts can have big returns. Your civility will cascade throughout your organization, with benefits to you—and your organization," she wrote.