Years ago, I found myself on a leadership team that was supposed to be full of the brightest and most ambitious people. The team seemed perfect on paper, but nothing could be further from the truth. The team suffered from several ills, but the biggest was a lack of consideration. Everyone was in it for themselves, resulting in a lot of disrespectful behavior.
Egos ran high, and while the team was undeniably talented, our talents were overshadowed by our lack of respect. This resulted in a working environment and organizational culture that overemphasized hard work, lacked emotional intelligence, disregarded the employees experience, and failed to consider different perspectives.
We failed to demonstrate one of the most important leadership behaviors: consideration.
Our failure to appreciate each other, provide positive feedback, treat people fairly, and build a respectful workplace culture resulted in a depressing decline in employee satisfaction and business success. We were all focused on our own success, and we created an environment that felt toxic and disconnected.
When you’re part of an inconsiderate team where everyone only thinks about their own success, the cracks don’t take long to show. By competing for recognition, rarely supporting each other, and failing to respect others, we failed to create a more positive work environment. It wasn’t just a stressful workplace—it was downright exhausting. And I have to admit, at that stage in my career, I wasn’t any better. I didn’t fully appreciate how much of a difference a little consideration could make.
But over the past decade, as I’ve worked to build an executive coaching practice that supports HR Leaders and upper management in various organizations, I’ve come to appreciate the importance of respect and obsess over how to create it.
So, in this issue, let’s examine how consideration provides a foundation for respect in the workplace.
What is Consideration?
Consideration, simply put, is the act of thinking about others—about how your words, actions, and decisions impact those around you. It means paying attention to more than just your own goals and being mindful of your team members’ needs, emotions, and perspectives. Consideration builds mutual respect. Without it, teams descend into dysfunction, and that lack of respect can spread like cancer, weakening the foundation of your company’s culture.
When a team lacks consideration, you can feel it. Meetings are tense, employee engagement drops, and people dread coming to work. There’s no psychological safety, which affects the mental health and physical health of employees and hurts the bottom line. High turnover rates, poor job satisfaction, and a disengaged workforce are the inevitable consequences of a work environment where respect and consideration are absent.
The Toxicity of Inconsiderate Teams
Inconsiderate behavior leads to a lack of respect, and no one wants to work in a place where respect doesn’t exist. Imagine being on a team where your ideas are dismissed without a second thought, where constructive feedback is never offered, and where you’re constantly competing with your colleagues rather than collaborating. It’s draining. Over time, such behavior drives good people away, increases turnover rates, and leaves the organization scrambling to attract and retain top talent.
This toxic culture also fosters more severe problems like workplace harassment, sexual harassment, inappropriate behavior, and even discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin. When leadership allows or, worse, exhibits inconsiderate behavior, the work culture deteriorates rapidly, creating a workplace that feels neither safe nor fair.
The Power of Considerate Teams
On the other hand, when a team is considerate, the work environment transforms. I’ve seen this firsthand in a few coaching case studies, but one organization, in particular, comes to mind. Several years ago, I worked with a leadership team at a fast-growing business, and the experience was inspiring. I’ve always said that I learn as much from my clients as they learn from me; this engagement was the perfect example. They were role models of consideration and building a respectful environment. This team was intentional about how they operated and focused their attention outward—on their clients and each other.
They frequently discussed their vision and core values, which helped everyone stay aligned. They adopted a creative orientation rather than a reactive one, concentrating on what they wanted to build rather than just solving problems. Sure, they encountered obstacles, but instead of getting bogged down, they focused on possibilities and opportunities. They encouraged open communication and active listening and showed mutual respect in every interaction.
This team of leaders was a model of workplace respect.
What was most impressive was how accountable they were to each other. They held themselves to high standards, welcomed constructive feedback, and consciously ensured that constructive coaching rather than constructive criticism was offered regularly, not just during formal performance reviews. This consistent feedback helped the team stay on track without overwhelming anyone. As a result, their respect for each other deepened, and they expanded their understanding of how to treat others, which created a positive impact on their company culture.
Respect isn’t just about being polite; it’s about fostering a work culture that allows people to feel heard, valued, and supported. This is what considerate teams do. And when leadership teams behave in a considerate and respectful manner, they set the tone for the entire company.
A Shining Example of Considerate Leadership
When thinking about famous leaders who embody consideration, one name comes to mind: Howard Schultz, the former CEO of Starbucks. Schultz built an organization that prioritized respect, not just for its customers but for its employees. He understood that if employees felt valued and respected, they would treat customers with the same level of care.
Under his leadership, Starbucks became a model of respect and consideration, offering benefits like healthcare, stock options, and education opportunities to all employees—even part-time baristas. Schultz was a firm believer in the idea that a company’s culture is its most important asset. He fostered a work environment that promoted psychological safety, employee engagement, and loyalty by creating a fair environment and paying attention to all employees’ needs. He didn’t pigeonhole that responsibility on human resources or a third party. He embedded it into the culture, and It’s no coincidence that Starbucks’ employee retention rates soared during his tenure.
Consideration was at the heart of Schultz’s leadership style, directly impacting the company’s brand and bottom line. Employees who felt respected and supported were more engaged and productive, leading to the company’s continued success.
Why Consideration Leads to Respect and Higher Performance
So why is consideration so crucial for respect in the workplace? It’s simple: when you show consideration for your team members, you make it clear that you value them as people, not just as cogs in the machine. This fosters mutual respect, an essential component of a healthy work culture.
When teams operate with respect, they become more cohesive. People are more willing to share ideas, offer help, and provide constructive feedback when they know they’ll be met with consideration and respect. Research backs this up. A Georgetown University survey showed that employees report higher job satisfaction and engagement in workplaces that emphasize respect. You can read about the survey in this Harvard Business Review article.
Respectful behavior doesn’t just improve the mood of the workplace—it boosts performance. Teams that respect each other are more likely to collaborate effectively, be creative, and innovate. In contrast, teams that operate without respect struggle with communication, leading to inefficiencies, higher employee turnover, and lower morale.
The Consideration Checklist for Leaders
If you’re a business leader or aspiring to be one, fostering a culture of consideration should be one of your top priorities. Here are a few simple yet powerful steps you can take to build a respectful work environment:
- Encourage Active Listening: Show respect by genuinely listening to your employees’ perspectives. This shows that you value their input, which increases engagement and trust.
- Model Respectful Behavior: Your team will follow your lead. Demonstrate respectful behavior in every interaction, and others will do the same.
- Promote Accountability: Hold yourself and your team accountable for meeting high consideration standards. Highlight positive behaviors and point out when someone engages in respectful communication.
- Celebrate Diversity & Inclusion: Respect the different backgrounds, perspectives, and ideas each team member brings. Encourage open conversations about diversity and ensure your workplace policies support equal opportunity for all.
- Say Thank You: The simple act of saying thank you is a great way to show appreciation and consideration for others. In the busy world of work, where leaders are often obsessed with corrective action, we usually don’t say thank you enough.
Respect Starts with You
At the end of the day, respect in the workplace doesn’t happen by accident—it’s built through consideration. When you take the time to think about how your actions impact others, when you listen actively, and when you hold yourself accountable, you create a culture of respect. That culture leads to higher performance, lower employee turnover, and, ultimately, a more successful business.
Respect matters, and it starts with the simple act of considering others. So, take a moment to reflect on how you can bring more consideration into your workplace. You’ll be amazed at the difference it makes in your team’s performance, job satisfaction, and overall well-being.
And remember, it’s never too late to start. Like anything worth having, you can build respect over time by being considerate.
