Everywhere I worked I enjoyed interacting with people, whether they were ranked well above me or they performed entry level jobs. I have no tolerance for anyone who lords their position or power over others. Nothing can land a manager on my bad side faster than me overhearing a “Don’t you know who I am?” speech to a staff member.
With DEI programs gaining momentum across the nonprofit community, treating everyone with the same degree of respect and trust is essential when you are developing a diversified workforce.
My maxim “bad news is good news if you do something about it” comes into play here. You need to be able to talk candidly with people at all levels of your organization, unearthing information and insights that can alert you to problems before they get out of hand. For this to function effectively people need to be able to gain respect for you and your role of modeling the organizational culture.
It always comes back to trust and respect, a core element in the culture of your nonprofit.
- Are you ever tempted to deliver a “don’t you know who I am?” speech?
- How can you communicate with your colleagues in a respectful way that acknowledges your different roles and responsibilities?