Holding the thread of dignity
A Reflection on respect in the workplace.
“कबीरा खड़ा बाजार में, लिए लुकाठी हाथ।
जो घर फूंके आपना, चले हमारे साथ॥”
(Kabir stands in the marketplace, torch in hand.
Whoever is ready to burn their ego, walk with me.)
We meet each other daily, in meeting rooms, Zoom calls, hallways, and project briefs. We speak about productivity, targets, KPIs, and timelines. But rarely do we pause and ask: What is the quality of our presence in each other’s lives? Is it marked by regard, or by indifference? Respect, often, is not in grand gestures, it is in our tone, our listening, and our willingness to recognize the dignity of the other.
In the workplace, we are not just professionals, we are human beings in shared pursuit. And respect is the invisible thread that binds that pursuit into something meaningful, humane, and enduring.
Let’s reflect more deeply on what it means to respect our colleagues, not just as a value, but as a living practice.
1. Respect begins where judgment ends:
We often walk into conversations carrying silent assumptions. “He is too slow.” “She always wants credit.” “They don’t understand the bigger picture.” These internal judgments subtly shape how we speak, how much we listen, and whether we truly see the person before us.
But respect begins when we drop the lens of judgment. Instead of labeling, we begin to wonder. What might be their story? What strengths are they bringing that I haven’t noticed yet?
Kabir’s wisdom reminds us:
“दोस पराए देखिए, चलिए अपने भेद।
औरन को क्या दोष दीजै, जैसा जिएं तैसे ही पाईए॥”
(Look not at others’ faults; reflect on your own.
Why blame others when we all receive what we embody?)
To respect others is to recognize that every colleague is on their own learning curve, just like we are.
2. Listening is the language of respect :
In fast-paced teams, listening can become a casualty. We often listen to respond, not to understand. This creates an atmosphere where voices are heard but not felt.
Genuine respect means listening with curiosity, even when the opinion differs. It means pausing, allowing space, and signalling: “I care about what you are saying, even if I don’t fully agree.”
Some gentle habits that foster listening:
- Put away distractions (especially phones) during conversations.
- Don’t interrupt. Let silence do its quiet work.
- Acknowledge perspectives with phrases like “That is an interesting point,” or “I had not seen it that way.”
Respect is not about agreement. It is about presence.
🌿 3. Value comes in many forms:
Respect falters when we only see value through a narrow lens, like hierarchy, seniority, or communication style. But every colleague, whether outspoken or quiet, new or experienced, brings something essential.
The challenge is that we often overlook contributions that do not mirror our own. A team member who doesn’t speak in meetings may be the one who brings deep focus and stability to project execution. Another who asks too many questions may be pushing the team to think deeper.
Reframing begins when we ask: What would this space lose if this person wasn’t present here?
Kabir reminds us:
“साधु ऐसा चाहिए, जैसा सूप सुभाय।
सार–सार को गहि रहे, थोथा देई उड़ाय॥”
(Be like the winnowing basket, retain the grain, let the chaff fly.
Hold on to what is valuable; let go of the rest.)
Respecting others means learning to see their grain, not just their noise.
🌿 4. Feedback can be respectful, too:
Often, we hesitate to give feedback because we equate respect with silence. Or we give feedback too bluntly, forgetting that behind the role is a human being.
Respectful feedback is honest, but not harsh. It focuses on behaviour, not identity. It is rooted in care, not correction.
Instead of “You are always late with deadlines,” try: “I noticed the last two deadlines were missed, can we talk about what is getting in the way?”
Instead of “You don’t contribute in meetings,” say: “I value your perspective. Would you feel comfortable sharing your views more often?”
Respect does not mean avoiding truth, it means delivering it with kindness.
🌿 5. Celebrate, don’t just tolerate:
Respect matures when we move beyond tolerance to appreciation. Tolerance is passive; it says, “I will allow you to be here.” Appreciation is active, it says, “I’m glad you are here.”
This shift reflects in simple behaviours:
- Acknowledge others’ efforts publicly.
- Celebrate small wins.
- Say thank you, genuinely and often.
In diverse workplaces, appreciation is the antidote to isolation. It says, “You matter.”
🌿 6. Respect is a daily choice
Even the most well-intentioned teams face moments of impatience, misunderstanding, and hurt. In these moments, it is tempting to retreat into blame or coldness.
But every day, we are given the choice to begin again.
- To greet others with warmth, even after a disagreement.
- To pause before reacting with irritation.
- To ask ourselves: Am I operating from ego, or from empathy?
Kabir offers us this anchor:
“ऐसी वाणी बोलिए, मन का आपा खोइ।
औरन को शीतल करे, आपहुं शीतल होइ॥”
(Speak such words that ego melts away.
Let your words bring comfort to others and peace to yourself.)
Respect is not a one-time act, it is a living rhythm.
Reflections to sit with:
- When was the last time I truly listened to a colleague without forming a response?
- What assumptions am I carrying about someone that may be limiting our connection?
- How can I offer feedback that uplifts rather than diminishes?
- What might shift in my team if respect became a daily practice, not a rare virtue?
- How often do I appreciate people whose work may go unnoticed?
Closing:
Respect is not just about being polite. It is about honouring the shared humanity that threads through every desk, every discussion, every deliverable.
When we hold each other with respect, we don’t just build better teams, we create cultures where people can breathe, belong, and bloom.
At Kabir Learning Foundation, we believe that leadership is not just about leading work, but about elevating people. And that begins with respect.
Write to us at: [email protected] Visit: https://kabirlearning.in/
Let us walk together toward a workplace where everyone feels seen, heard, and held with dignity.
