“Respect is the highest currency – whoever uses it will prosper”
I don’t know where that quote came from, but it has stuck with me for at least 10 years.
Businesses with high staff turnover probably have one or more of the following issues:
- Lack of respectful treatment from co-workers or supervisors
- Low wages
- Unpleasant working conditions
- Lack of opportunities for growth
- A competitor who is doing a better job of dealing with (1) to (4) above
Low wages and unpleasant working conditions can be extremely expensive or even impossible to fix. Opportunities for growth are always present when a business is succeeding, but they can be absent when nepotism is present.
There is no good reason why respectful treatment should be a problem in any work-place. Expectations must be set and defended. Coach troublemakers to a reasonable extent; eliminate them from the team if necessary. Promote the people who create cohesion and excellence.
If a business puts respectful treatment at the top of its priorities, then everybody wins – staff, customers, and the business itself. This can make all of the difference between success and mediocrity. At our office, respect is the first thing on the list.