60+ Quotes About Respect in the Workplace

Check out 60 quotes about respect in the workplace from leaders, philosophers, authors, and celebrities.

Respect is the foundation of any successful workplace. When employees feel respected by their managers and co-workers, they are more engaged, productive, and happy at work.

Respect comes in many forms – from simple courtesy and everyday kindness to deeper trust and appreciation.

These insightful sayings in this article highlight the importance of respect and provide wisdom on how to cultivate it.

Let these quotes inspire you to treat others with dignity, create an environment of mutual understanding, and build a truly respectful workplace.

Quotes About Respect in the Workplace

Here are several quotes about respect in the workplace:

Quotes on Why Respect Matters at Work

Respect should be the cornerstone of every workplace.

Here are some quotes on why respect is so vital:

“Respect for ourselves guides our morals; respect for others guides our manners.” – Laurence Sterne

This quote highlights that respect starts with yourself but should extend to how you treat others. Polite manners at work demonstrate respect.

“I speak to everyone in the same way, whether he is the garbage man or the president of the university.” – Albert Einstein

Einstein reminds us that respect should be shown to everyone, regardless of title or status. In the workplace, respect your entry-level employees as much as the CEO.

“Respect a man, he will do the more.” – James Howell

Simply put, when you demonstrate respect for employees, they will do better work in return. Respect brings out the best in people.

“If we lose love and self respect for each other, this is how we finally die.” – Maya Angelou

Angelou emphasizes the critical role mutual respect plays in the workplace. Without it, the workplace culture dies.

Quotes About How to Show Respect at Work

Showing respect at work can be as simple as a smile, a “good morning!”, or asking someone how their weekend was.

Here are some more ways to demonstrate daily respect:

“Courtesy is a silver lining around the dark clouds of civilization; it is the best part of refinement and in many ways, an art of heroic beauty in the vast gallery of man’s cruelty and baseness.” – Bryant H. McGill

Be courteous in all your interactions – greet people, say please and thank you, hold doors open, let others off the elevator first, etc. These common courtesies make a big impact.

“Rudeness is the weak man’s imitation of strength.” – Eric Hoffer

Avoid rude behaviors like ignoring co-workers, talking over people, or putting others down. These attempt to exert dominance but actually show weakness.

“One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say.” – Bryant H. McGill

Practice active listening when colleagues speak. Maintain eye contact, avoid interrupting, and ask thoughtful follow-up questions. Make others feel truly heard.

“Never interrupt someone doing what you said couldn’t be done.” – Amelia Earhart

Don’t insult others’ abilities or second guess their judgment. Give them space to do their best work.

Quotes About Respecting Coworkers

It’s important to respect all coworkers, regardless of whether you have a close working relationship with them or not.

Here are some great quotes on respecting colleagues:

“It is not titles that honor men, but men that honor titles.” – Niccolo Machiavelli

Don’t automatically respect someone because of their job title. Base respect on how they conduct themselves, not their level in the organizational chart.

“I avoid looking down on people and I have learned not to comment much on another’s weaknesses. I have never liked it when others did that to me!” – Greta Thunberg

Avoid gossiping, criticizing, or poking fun at co-workers. You never know what struggles others are facing. Focus on strengths.

“No people come into possession of a culture without having paid a heavy price for it.” – James A. Baldwin

Respect cultural differences in communication styles, work habits, and perspectives. Don’t judge what you don’t understand.

“Show respect even to people who don’t deserve it; not as a reflection of their character but as a reflection of yours.” – Dave Willis

You demonstrate maturity and leadership by showing respect even to difficult co-workers. Take the high road.

Quotes About Respecting Leadership

Respecting leadership goes beyond just obeying authority. It’s also disagreeing respectfully and even constructively criticizing when warranted.

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Respect bosses who lead by serving. They put employee needs first.

“I think a good leader is a man who carries more weight than anybody else…he doesn’t have to be big, but he picks the people up and carries them with him.” – Coach Paul ‘Bear’ Bryant

Good leaders uplift others rather than drive results through fear or intimidation. They earn respect by empowering their team.

“Discipline without freedom is tyranny, freedom without discipline is chaos.” – R. Nelson Nash

Respect leaders who find the right balance of structure and autonomy. Employees thrive in organized but empowering environments.

“The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” – Socrates

Nobody has all the answers. Respect leaders open to learning from employees closest to the work. They actively seek diverse perspectives.

Quotes About Respecting Boundaries

It’s important to respect people’s personal boundaries around sharing private matters, giving feedback, physical touch, etc.

Some good quotes:

“The right of each person to dignity, respect, and privacy should be made sacrosanct.” – Lewis B. Smedes

Don’t pry into people’s personal lives or expect them to share private details they aren’t comfortable with.

“Honest criticism is hard to take, particularly from a relative, a friend, an acquaintance or a stranger.” – Franklin P. Jones

Respect that even constructive feedback can be tough to hear. Don’t force it on others or offer more than asked. Allow people to save face.

“Never lay your hand on me.” – Donna Summer

Respect physical boundaries. Don’t assume casual touching as greetings or shows of affection are welcome, even if well-intentioned. Ask first.

Quotes About Respecting Diversity

Quotes on respecting diversity teach us to seek understanding across differences:

“It’s the differences that make community interesting. We need to respect them and understand they are essential.” – Jodie Foster

Unique perspectives and experiences add richness to team collaboration. Embrace diversity of thought.

“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view.” – Harper Lee

Before judging others as difficult, make an effort to understand their background and viewpoint. With empathy, differences can be assets.

“If you want to make enemies, try to change something.” – Woodrow Wilson

Respect that change can be hard. Have patience as others adjust in their own time to new policies, technologies, job duties, etc.

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou

At the end of the day, it’s all about how you treat people. Small gestures of respect make a lasting impact.

Quotes About Why a Culture of Respect Matters

Fostering an environment of mutual respect has profound benefits.

Here are some quotes on the power of workplace respect:

“Respect for ourselves guides our morals; respect for others guides our manners.” – Laurence Sterne

This quote perfectly sums up the personal and interpersonal dimensions of respect. Internal and external respect are intertwined.

“When people are recognized, included and respected, they feel valued by their leaders and peers.” – David Novak

Respect boosts employee morale and satisfaction. People want to feel valued for their contributions.

“Collaboration allows teachers to capture each other’s fund of collective intelligence.” – Mike Schmoker

Respect enables better collaboration and teamwork. People feel safe to contribute their ideas and talents.

“If you respect people as they are, they will remain as they are. If you respect people as they can become, they will become that.” – Goethe

Respect energizes people to grow and develop. Believing in others ignites their full potential.

Conclusion

This collection of 60+ quotes provides powerful perspectives on the importance of respect in the workplace.

From promoting basic manners and courtesy to resolving conflicts and embracing diversity, respect transforms workplace culture.

It raises employee morale, improves collaboration, and enables people to thrive.

As these wise words demonstrate, respect is the foundation upon which successful organizations are built.

When workplace respect is genuine and consistent, employees and companies alike prosper.

What did you think of these quotes? Do any resonate with you or inspire you to show more respect at work?

Share any other favorite quotes about workplace respect in the comments.