Fostering Civility
December 27, 2023
civility (noun)
ci·vil·i·ty | sə-ˈvi-lə-tē
From the Latin civilis (of/affecting citizens)
a: civilized conduct: being courteous, polite, and respectful
b: polite actions, gestures, or words
The word “civility,” from the Latin for “citizen,” simply means being courteous, or polite. Civility is how we translate the idea of a respectful workplace into reality. Practicing courtesy and civility when we interact with our colleagues and coworkers builds trust and fosters feelings of respect and dignity, which in turn increases workplace well-being, productivity, retention, and creativity. Being polite allows us to get along and avoid unnecessary conflict on the job, and it’s easy to do.
HR professionals can encourage civility by providing employees with the following “civility basics”:
- Think before you speak or hit “send.” (In other words, be thoughtful when you engage with your coworkers, customers, patients, vendors, or anyone else you come into contact with at work. Think about how your words might be received, and adjust them accordingly.)
- Follow the Golden Rule. (Treat others as you would want to be treated. It won’t let you down.)
- Be inclusive and engaging. (Friendly engagement helps us connect with others. Give everyone an opportunity to contribute, and really listen to what they have to say. Everyone has something to offer.)
- Use micro-affirmations to engage others in a positive manner. (These small, polite gestures like making eye contact, saying hello and goodbye and please and thank you, acknowledge other people and let them know they matter.)
- Treat everyone with respect. (We may come from different backgrounds and experiences, but we all deserve to maintain our dignity at work. Polite and considerate interaction allows us to acknowledge our differences but focus on the things we have in common.)
- Disagree without being disagreeable. (It’s okay to disagree. The exchange of ideas and healthy debate—when friendly and respectful—are how organizations grow and thrive.)
Different organizations can have different cultures, expectations, and even somewhat different standards of conduct. For instance, some workplaces are more informal than others, and that influences the way people communicate with each other. And different people have different personal beliefs, values, and styles of communication. It’s the kindness and compassion of civility that allow a diverse group to get along, leave judgment at the door when they come to work, and treat each other respectfully.
The bottom line is that we all know what it means to be kind or unkind, polite or rude. Civility means more than just using good manners to avoid bad behavior. It also means making a conscious effort to be courteous, respectful, and engaging at work. It feels as good to treat others with kindness and civility as it does to be on the receiving end.
HR can play an important role in fostering civility by bringing attention to its importance for a healthy, happy, productive workplace; articulating specific ways for its implementation; regularly promoting its practice; and requiring civil behavior in written statements of organization policy. Taking these steps will ingrain civility in your organization’s culture and provide benefits both tangible and intangible to all organization stakeholders.