To lead with civility is very important to the growth and success of any leader; especially, in a time and climate where incivility seems to be the behavior of choice among our highly visible leaders today. For some leaders, leading with civility is innate and practical to put into practice. For others, it is challenging and ineffective to put into practice.

Leading with civility can lead to lots of gains. To Lead with Civility means you’ve decided as a leader — it’s better to steer away from potential chaos and grow through simplicity by treating those you lead with respect, trust, honesty, inoffensive communication, fairness, support, flexibility, resilience, a positive temperament, and ongoing development and encouragement.

The act of civility makes people on all levels feel they are important, valued, welcomed, and respected in the workplace, in the community, at school, or at home.

Here are my proven strategies on how you too can Lead with Civility:

1. Be accountable

To inspire others and yourself as you lead them, be accountable for your actions. To make this possible, you have to reinforce the importance of civility by creating an open show of respect by leading by example. Civility is, as Civility does. Your behavior can be very instrumental in helping your team, organization or company to grow in a positive and healthy way going forward.

2. Engage everyone with manners, be polite

Engaging others with behaviors that are polite is the key to leading with civility. Civility does not diminish the genuineness or impact of a leader’s message, but the lack of manners and politeness will. Positive behaviors help everybody to hear and see a leader in a positive light. It also inspires unified participation and decreases conflict and separatism as team members work towards a set vision or goal. When people are not attacked and insulted by a leader’s message or actions, they will often listen attentively and respond positively whenever he or she speaks.

3. Control your emotions

When you put too many emotions into your dealing with people, it can be seen as disregard or insult to them. You must separate facts from feelings. For example, when a team member complains more than three times in a row, you have to respond discreetly with empathy and the desire to learn why. Meet with him/her in private, have a professional and polite discussion, tell them your true feelings, and suggest a positive resolution. This will hopefully make your team member feel respected and valued, and unoffended the next time you talk to or engage them.

4. Practice civility at all times

No matter your leadership role in your business, organization or group, you can start to close the respect gap between you and your employees/team members by permeating more friendly attitudes into your current culture. You can reduce meeting times to show you value the time of others in your group and write a personal thank you letter for jobs that were well done. To earn the excellent benefits, you will need to put in a lot of courageous and unceasing effort on civility. Leading with civility should be the first choice and standard in all you do.

Final thoughts

Remember: Civility is, as Civility does. To lead with civility may take some time and patience to learn, develop, and master — it’s worth it. If you are indeed a leader who wants to make a positive impact and influence on the people you lead, you have to set a high standard on how you want to lead. Practice and develop success habits that establish your pledge to following through on leading with civility, to include: listening to the people you lead, engaging them in positive ways, resolving conflicts through caring solutions, recognizing people for their efforts and performance, and always respecting others and their time. This certainly will make the people and teams you lead feel they are valued, appreciated and respected. It will also inspire them to passionately and enthusiastically work with you toward the capturing of the vision and purpose of your business, organization, association or group.

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Hey! How exactly do you currently Lead with Civility? Kindly tell us in the comment box below. Thank you in advance for sharing!

About the Author: Ty Howard,
Mr. Untie the Knots®,
True Greatness Is — As True Greatness Does!

Ty Howard is America’s Untie the Knots® Consultant, and Capturing Greatness and Passion Expert. Over the past 21 years, he has spoken to nearly 3 million teenagers, education professionals, student leaders, student athletes, parents, fatherhood groups, youth development professionals, and associations across the nation and around the world. For information on his programs and services, visit: http://capturinggreatness.com.