college connection
PROFESSIONALISM
FIVE FUNDAMENTALS OF CIVILITY: DEMONSTRATING RESPECT
The Spring issue of College Connection
provided an introduction to “The Five
Fundamentals of Civility for Physicians,” a
series of articles that examines the impact
of incivility to a profession and strategies
to foster civil behaviour. This article, written
by Dr. Michael Kaufmann, focuses on the
importance of demonstrating respect for
others and onself.
engages people in their work. Respect
can mean many things, but here we are
considering the way we regard ourselves and
others. To respect is to recognize a sense of
worth, to hold in esteem desired or admired
qualities, and to accept and acknowledge the
intrinsic value of oneself and others.
Respectful relationships are fundamental
to worker engagement, high-quality job
performance, and, therefore, in veterinary
medicine, the highest quality of care. If
respect is fundamental to civility, important
questions arise:
Is it possible to respect everyone?
Is it possible to convey respect to everyone?
What is the role of self-respect?
Respect For Those We Like
It’s easy to respect people we admire. Our
good friends, colleagues with whom we are
comfortable, mentors and others we know
well, and like, have already earned our
positive regard. With them we have built up a
store of social “capital.” There are everyday
ways that we can demonstrate our respect for
them that enhance civility in our interactions.
• Be present. When in conversation with
others, pay attention, listen and put the
phone aside.
• Everyone needs personal space —
physical and psychological. Maintain an
appropriate distance when conversing.
Make space for others to speak.
• Maintain professional dress and grooming.
• Be mindful of time and timeliness.
• Consider the feelings and needs of others.
Respect and civility are intertwined. It’s
easier to interact with others in a civil fashion
when we view them with respect. And civil
behaviour conveys our respect while fostering
the same from those with whom we live and
work.
Civility, as a means of demonstrating respect,
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Respect For Those We Don’t Know
There are ways to demonstrate respect
for people we really don’t know, or don’t
know well. Respecting them offers them
inclusivity— a civil thing to do. People need to
feel that they belong.
• Acknowledge them. Make eye contact.
Smile.
• Address them by name.
• Engage in friendly conversation.
• Learn more about their role and duties.
• Invite their opinions when appropriate,
listen carefully, and express appreciation.
Special mention needs to be made
regarding power imbalance and workplace
relationships. Michael Leiter reports that
uncivil behaviour from individuals of higher
status directed towards those who are
subordinate has a greater negative impact
compared to such behaviour between peer
co-workers.
Even unintended slights can convey
disrespect and cause harm. And if intended?
I am not aware of any research that supports
shaming as an effective teaching or
workplace engagement strategy.
Respect For Those With Whom We
Don’t Agree
When thinking about people with whom we
don’t agree, or perhaps those with opinions
or values that we don’t share, it gets more
interesting. Even if we can’t support their
choices, can we still demonstrate respect for
them? Here are some suggestions:
• Assume positive intent.
• Seek to understand other perspectives by
listening carefully and thoughtfully.
• Engage in assertive, but courteous,
discussion that enables expressions of
support or dissent to be heard.
• Remember and value the fundamental
humanity and worth as individuals that
these colleagues and co-workers possess.
• Respect the established systems and roles
that guide our work and our profession.
Civility Towards Those We Aren’t
Able To Respect
Perhaps the greatest challenge arises when
dealing with others who have bullied us, or
hurt us. What place does respect have when
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