{"id":49220,"date":"2025-04-18T09:46:57","date_gmt":"2025-04-18T16:46:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/?p=49220"},"modified":"2025-08-07T18:46:28","modified_gmt":"2025-08-08T01:46:28","slug":"leading-with-respect-knowing-when-to-let-go-of-leaders-who-dont","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/gov-talk\/about-gov\/education\/leading-with-respect-knowing-when-to-let-go-of-leaders-who-dont\/","title":{"rendered":"Leading with Respect: Knowing When to Let Go of Leaders Who Don’t"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ background_image=”https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Chris.jpg” custom_padding=”0|0px|30px|0px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”50px|0|50px|0″ custom_padding_phone=”” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”||223px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” disabled_on=”on|on|off” _builder_version=”4.16″ height=”200px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.1″ text_font=”PT Sans||||” text_text_color=”#ffffff” text_font_size=”72″ text_line_height=”1.1em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” max_width=”582px” custom_margin=”0px||0px|-42px||” text_font_size_tablet=”52″ text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Leading with Respect: Knowing When to Let Go of Leaders Who Don’t<\/strong><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”-77px|||||” custom_padding=”27.2344px|0px|0|0px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”50px|0|50px|0″ custom_padding_phone=”” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ column_padding_mobile=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” max_width=”1200px” custom_padding=”20px||0px|” custom_padding_tablet=”0px|||” custom_padding_phone=”” use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”1200px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/unnamed-scaled.jpg” title_text=”unnamed” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” disabled_on=”on|on|” _builder_version=”4.16″ animation=”off” sticky=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|on|” _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”PT Sans|on|||” text_text_color=”#02b875″ text_font_size=”20″ text_line_height=”1.2em” header_text_color=”#000000″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” max_width=”140px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”20px||0px|” global_colors_info=”{}”]CHRIS EDMONDS<\/a><\/span>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|on|” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ text_font=”PT Serif||on||” text_text_color=”#363636″ text_font_size=”16″ text_line_height=”1.4em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” max_width=”140px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”10px||60px|” global_colors_info=”{}”]S. Chris Edmonds is a sought-after speaker, author, and executive consultant. He\u2019s the founder and CEO of The Purposeful Culture Group, which he launched in 1990. Chris helps senior leaders build and sustain purposeful, positive, productive work cultures. He is the author or co-author of seven books, including Amazon bestsellers Good Comes First (2021) with Mark Babbitt, The Culture Engine (2014), and Leading at a Higher Level (2008) with Ken Blanchard.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.1″ text_font=”PT Serif||||” text_text_color=”#363636″ text_font_size=”24″ text_line_height=”1.5em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” max_width=”720px” min_height=”929px” custom_margin=”0px||0px|” custom_padding=”||0px|||” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Do the leaders in your organization treat others with respect in every interaction?<\/p>\n

The only way to know for certain is to engage directly with your staff, listen to their feedback, and measure how they perceive your leaders\u2019 behaviors. Then, close any gaps that you find.<\/p>\n

The unfortunate truth is that, left to our own devices, many leaders often fall into patterns of disregarding others\u2014dismissing and discounting their ideas, efforts, and contributions. Asking your leaders to treat others with respect isn\u2019t enough. What matters is whether they treat others respectully.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s an example. In 2022 the top White House science advisor resigned his cabinet position after a two-month investigation found he regularly bullied and demeaned subordinates, even in front of their bosses and peers. Eric Lander apologized to employees of the Office of Science and Technology Policy for \u201cbeing disrespectful and demeaning.\u201d Top White House scientist resigns, admits he \u2018caused hurt\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n

It\u2019s a relief that this leader moved on. It\u2019s unfortunate that his toxic behavior went unchecked for over a year.<\/p>\n

Toxic behavior by leaders \u2013 and by peers \u2013 has plagued workplaces for generations. Bullying, harassment, and demeaning practices have long been tolerated, allowed to persist unchecked.<\/p>\n

Today, the landscape has shifted. Employees of all generations demand and deserve workplaces where their aligned ideas, efforts, and contributions are respected and validated every day.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#f7f7f4″ custom_padding=”0||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ make_equal=”on” column_padding_mobile=”on” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px||0px|” make_fullwidth=”on” custom_width_px=”680px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/2.jpg” alt=”A woman in a light blue suit and glasses stands smiling and holding a marker, leading a meeting with respect, as three seated colleagues listen attentively in a modern office setting.” title_text=”A woman in a light blue suit and glasses stands smiling and holding a marker, leading a meeting with respect, as three seated colleagues listen attentively in a modern office setting.” show_bottom_space=”off” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ custom_margin=”1px|||||” animation_direction=”off” animation=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#efefe9″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.careersingovernment.com\/tools\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/3-scaled-1.jpg” alt=”A woman in an orange blouse writes on a whiteboard filled with diagrams and sticky notes, while two colleagues sit nearby, listening with respect in a modern office setting.” title_text=”A woman in an orange blouse writes on a whiteboard filled with diagrams and sticky notes, while two colleagues sit nearby, listening with respect in a modern office setting.” show_bottom_space=”off” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ custom_margin=”1px|||||” animation_direction=”off” animation=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text disabled_on=”off|off|” _builder_version=”4.25.1″ text_font=”PT Serif||||” text_text_color=”#818178″ text_font_size=”24″ text_line_height=”1.4em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”16.3%|10%||10%||” custom_margin_tablet=”|10%||10%” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Employees of all generations demand and deserve workplaces where their aligned ideas, efforts, and contributions are respected and validated every day.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_font=”PT Sans|on|||” text_text_color=”#888888″ text_font_size=”12″ text_letter_spacing=”2px” text_line_height=”1.2em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”20px||20%|” custom_margin_tablet=”20px|||” custom_margin_phone=”20px||3.7%|||” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]CHRIS EDMONDS[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0||25px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”4″ column_padding_mobile=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” max_width=”1200px” custom_margin=”|auto||auto|false|false” custom_padding=”0||0px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||10px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”” use_custom_width=”on” custom_width_px=”1200px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.1″ text_font=”PT Serif||||” text_text_color=”#363636″ text_font_size=”20″ text_line_height=”1.4em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”37px||2px|||” custom_margin_tablet=”40px||0px|” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

When employees don\u2019t experience respect and validation, they quit – at a remarkable pace. In 2024, 39.6 million US workers voluntarily quit their jobs.\u00a0 https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/news.release\/pdf\/jolts.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n

How can business leaders ensure that every team member is treated with respect in the workplace? By implementing these three steps.<\/p>\n

First, set high standards<\/strong>. Don\u2019t assume leaders and team members automatically know how to treat others with respect.\u00a0 Be specific about the behaviors you expect from everyone. For example, \u201cintegrity\u201d can mean different things to different people, so don\u2019t leave it open to interpretation. Tell leaders and team members exactly what integrity looks like. A simple behavior that models integrity is \u201cI do what I say I will do.\u201d This observable, tangible, and measurable. You\u2019re not trying to change people\u2019s personalities; you\u2019re changing people\u2019s habits.<\/p>\n

Second, model high standards<\/strong>. Once you\u2019ve defined your values in behavioral terms, leaders must consistently model those behaviors. Your desired valued behaviors gain credibility only when leaders consistently and effectively demonstrate them.<\/p>\n

Third, hold everyone accountable for high standards<\/strong>. Conduct values surveys where employees rate their direct supervisors on how well those leaders model for formalized valued behaviors. Celebrate those leaders who align with your values. For those who don\u2019t demonstrate your valued behaviors, invest time in coaching, mentoring, and helping them align to your high standards.<\/p>\n

If a leader or team member is unable to model your valued behaviors, it\u2019s time to lovingly set them free. Accountability means you don\u2019t tolerate disrespectful behaviors anymore. If players can\u2019t align, you must lovingly set them free.<\/p>\n

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