Manager disrespect: a blind spot and suggested remedies.

"Mutual respect is what sustains extraordinary group efforts."(1)

Virtually all managers will agree that mutual respect is critically important in work situations. At the same time, many managers' disrespect for their employees seems common-place today, whether it stems from ignorance, insensitivity, or other reasons. One component of this disrespect is arrogance, as seen in a case study below. It demonstrates how a young manager's arrogant behavior diluted her effectiveness. Eventually, following some candid feedback, Terry found a way to eliminate her own disrespectful behavior. Authority abuse, a second component of disrespect, had frustrated several people who reported to Ed, a division manager. In the second case reported here, the company's CEO hired a consultant who worked carefully with Ed and resolved the problem with minimum disruption.

This article begins with a brief review of previous research into manager disrespect, then works through the two cases just mentioned. Three main techniques are discussed that can help eliminate disrespect: pressure from higher management; outside help (i.e., a consultant); and self-initiated efforts to change disrespectful behaviours.

Research shows that manager disrespect is frequent, severe, distracting, and reciprocal. It often becomes a barrier in the managerial processes of communication, coaching, and performance appraisal.

Frequency and severity. A preliminary study shows that the problem is both serious and frequent. According to a corporate-sponsored survey of 1,000 Americans, a startling 20 percent of workers in the Northeast said their boss' disrespect caused them stress.(2) Rates of disrespect were nearly as bad in the other three regions studied, with 15 percent reported in the Midwest, South, and West. Further, 25 percent of the 1,000 employees said disrespect from their manager caused one or more of the following workplace problems: a negative impact on productivity; bad feelings and low morale; headaches leading to absenteeism; great risks to the career of the disrespectful manager; and the loss of many very effective people to other employers.

Distraction for employees. Manager disrespect creates a major distraction for employees, if not measurable abuse.(3) This abuse commonly can be both verbal and nonverbal. However, it also can involve physical abuse, coercion, and intimidation. As Bassman and London note, abused employees tend to waste energy on avoiding confrontation. Managers and human resource specialists should learn to spot signs of disrespect, with the aim of preventing serious problems and avoiding unnecessary distraction.