How do you command respect at work?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I am talking about coworkers' looking up to you as a leader and respecting you as a good nurse.

I would appreciate your input as I believe this is something I need to work on. Perception is everything, right? I have seen excellent nurses persecuted at work because they give the perception of being clueless and disorganized, when, if you look at their actual patient care, this is not the case. This has never happened to me, but I am interested in going one up and actually being looked up to by my coworkers.

I know the way one carries oneself matters. Do certifications matter? Committee participation?

Note that I am not talking about sucking up to management, rather, lateral respect.

Thanks in advance for your dialogue.

No eye rolling, deep sighing or making faces when one of your colleagues/subordinates walks in or is speaking in a meeting -- or ever. It is aggressive and rude.

Of course there is a ton more.

Why don't you find a solid leadership course?

Specializes in Management, Emergency, Psych, Med Surg.

Confidence, ability to deal with different situations in a manner that allows a positive outcome for everyone. Able to act as a resource. Calm and in control. Treats everyone with respect. They don't talk down to anyone. They welcome all new people in a positive manner. They introduce themselves to new people and let them know what they can expect from the charge nurse. They maintain accountability and stand up for the decisions they make. They never try to blame anyone else. Assist staff with procedures that they are not familiar with. They maintain a positive atmosphere at work and they don't get the "big head" like they know everything.

Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.

For me it is easier to pinpoint things that make me lose respect for someone:

If everytime you are assigned an admission, drama that rivals that found on Broadway ensues, I'm not impressed.

If you feel the need to whine continuously about everything and how you have it tougher than anyone, go away. It makes me want to put you out of your misery :)

If you are the kind who needs to compete verbally and try to "top" what others say (ex- a coworker has a headache and you feel a need to say "that's nothing, let me tell you about the time I...."), ok, already, you win. You truly take the prize.

If you feel a need to cry hysterically and defend yourself whenever things don't go your way, this might not be the profession for you. I don't have time to be your counselor, I am trying to keep my critical patients alive.

If you know it all and are an expert at everything, then why don't you share the wealth instead of just acting superior?

That pretty much sums it up for me. I like people who are pleasant, hardworking, and care about the patients.

Hmmmm.....

Learn about conflict management NOW

Have neutrality that rival's Switzerland

Do not participate in gossip (by the way, participating includes listening)

Know your stuff

Don't fake it...ever

Be direct

Be supportive

Only reprimand in private

Never panic/get hysterical it helps nothing

Have humility/be teachable

Learn how to take feedback like a pro

Learn to give feedback like a pro

I work as a cna, and am from Africa, of coz the accent when I go to the break room and I just don't listen or participate in gossip, they ask if do I think am better than them, then what?

I work as a cna, and am from Africa, of coz the accent when I go to the break room and I just don't listen or participate in gossip, they ask if do I think am better than them, then what?

Change the subject.

Specializes in Staff nurse.

Re: Only reprimand in private. I prefer to do it in private...but have been told that sometimes you need to have a witness (ie, the aides are union but the RNs aren't).

No one likes to be corrected with others around.

Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.

I've never commanded it. I have earned it.

I have done this by demonstrating that I am competent, respectful to others, that I will work hard, and by pitching in and helping my co workers.

+ Add a Comment