Baptistcare’s second value is “integrity and respect in personal and organisational behaviour”.
I have been watching over a number of years the growth of a programme called “Choose Respect” that was developed by a friend of mine. “Choose Respect” has been introduced into a number of schools in Western Australia. A study that was conducted at Boddington District High School in 2007-2008 in conjunction with Murdoch University showed that referrals for serious disruptive behaviour were reduced by 90 percent during the time the “Choose Respect” programme was implemented.
Schools that adopt “Choose Respect” also adopt a code of behaviour which reads: To choose respect is to make a conscious effort to:
• Treat others with Respect, no matter how they treat you;
• Treat yourself with Respect;
• Forgive others who do not treat you with Respect;
• Resist your natural desire to pay back or take revenge;
• Apologise when you do not treat others with Respect;
• Support others who are not being treated with Respect;
• Ask for support when others do not treat you with Respect.
It’s a little word, but it holds a wealth of meaning. What does respect mean to you and what sort of behaviour do you expect from people who are showing you respect in the workplace?
The school campaign seems to have been a great success and I can see how the same principles could be applied throughout daily living: home; school; work; with friends; etc. It's encouraging. Thank you!
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