Lesson 3: Mutual Respect in All Dealings between Employees and with Clients

Workplace diversity is no longer confined to distinguishable physical characteristics or attributes. Diversity includes generational differences and variances in work styles, differences between one employee’s philosophy about work compared to the philosophy and values of another employee. To achieve a positive and collaborative workforce, employers should begin with training that promotes mutual respect and alignment of professional goals, despite personal differences. For example, an employee whose identity is defined by his position and status has a different perspective on the meaning of work than an employee who views his job as a way to sustain his lifestyle. However, they may have identical points of view concerning a commitment to performing quality work, which makes mutual respect all that more important. The distance between their philosophical views on work does not affect the way they perform their jobs.