Whenever you feel disrespected, speak up instead of ignoring the remark or behavior. Assertiveness reminds coworkers that your ideas and contributions are just as valuable as theirs. Practice self-advocacy by using “I” statements to express what you want and need. Don’t be afraid to disagree or ask questions.

When you ask workers what matters most to them, feeling respected by superiors often tops the list. In a recent survey by Georgetown University’s Christine Porath of nearly 20,000 employees worldwide, respondents ranked respect as the most important leadership behavior.

21 Ways You Can Earn The Respect Of Others

1. Be relentlessly proactive. Don’t always wait for direction from others.
2. Keep your promises. This is by far one of the most important actions you can take to start gaining respect.
3. Stop apologizing.
4. Don’t waste other people’s time.
5. Stop gossiping immediately.
6. Stop being too nice.
7. Practice humility.
8. Have a moral code.

How Do You Gain Respect from Employees?

1. Give Respect. If you want your direct reports to respect you, it’s important that you first show them the respect they deserve.
2. Show Your Work Ethic.
3. Be Consistent.
4. Be a Firm Leader.
5. Admit Your Wrongdoings.
6. Seek Out New Opinions.
7. Recognize Successes.
8. Seek Out Feedback.

They belittle you in public. Belittling can look like someone dismissing your opinions, all the way through to humiliating you and putting you down, often in public. If your friend makes you feel silly or small in front of other people, it’s a sign they don’t respect you.

If your coworkers are disrespecting you, you’re going to have to recognize it before you stop it.

• You’re the subject of gossip.
• You’re ignored.
• Your ideas are stolen.
• You’re (needlessly) reprimanded.
• You notice tell-tale body language.
• Your authority is constantly questioned or disregarded.
• Your time isn’t valued.

Disrespect causes the recipient to experience fear, anger, shame, confusion, uncertainty, isolation, self-doubt, depression, and a whole host of physical ailments such as insomnia, fatigue, nausea, and hypertension.

It isn’t rude — it’s understandable. If someone hurts you, it isn’t rude to refuse to talk to them. You should — in time — learn to forgive them though as holding on to what they did to you, will cause you nothing but pain. It’s right to not respond.

Breaking the cycle of rudeness starts with just being nicer

1. Acknowledge people and express appreciation.
2. Don’t let rude behavior fester.
3. Avoid rude people.
4. Think about how your behavior will sit with others.
5. Apologize if you do find yourself being rude.
6. Believe in decency.
7. Smile!

When a person is being rude or hurtful to you or someone else. And lastly, if someone is being incredibly rude or hurtful it is always okay to be rude in response. This includes any words or behavior that are in anyway racist, misogynistic, or anything that is similarly hurtful or discriminatory.

Being blunt is being honest, but often in a rude or even aggressive manner. Being direct on the other hand is being honest and genuine whilst maintaining a respectful and diplomatic way.