Do you communicate with respect and professionalism?

I’m listening to a couple of businessmen chatting and one of them has remarked “I don’t know why it’s so hard for people to communicate with respect and professionalism”.

I frequently think the same!

When I was a child and had a tanty because I didn’t get my own way, my grandmother used to remind me that “you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar”. It’s a lesson that has always stayed with me.

I’ve worked with many people over the years whose default response to any problem is shouting. Why would anyone do anything for you if you treat them with rudeness, disdain and an adversarial tone? Or worse, when you shout at them??

When we communicate with kindness and compassion, respect and professionalism, we are far more likely to get the response we want.

Respectful communication in the workplace also leads to greater productivity and revenue – who wants to do their best work for someone who is rude? And when was the last time you went back to a supplier or a shop or a café where you were treated poorly?

A little respect goes a long way.

What’s your default communication style? I’d love to know.