Respect is one of the most important of the Lab’s Stewardship values. It means that we care for one another. We depend on contributions from many people, disciplines, and roles to unlock the potential of individuals and teams. Because of this, each of us takes responsibility for the well-being, safety, and belonging of others in our communities.
Research News interviewed the following members of the Lab community to see how they think about, and practice, respect in their daily work:
- Deb Agarwal
- Keileigh Bennett
- Daniel Dores
- Cameron Geddes
- Liana Klivansky
- Trent Northen
- Mary Ann Piette
Deb Agarwal, Acting Head of Scientific Data Division, Computing Sciences Area
Why is respect important?
Respect for our coworkers is an essential cornerstone of the other core stewardship values. We are each exceptional individuals but with different characteristics and expertise. It is critical that we value each individual for who they are and let them bring their authentic selves to the workplace. When I do not feel respected, I am much less willing to offer my opinions and ideas and I am less motivated.
What are examples of respectful behavior and disrespectful behavior?
One respectful behavior is engaging in active listening and encouraging everyone to participate in discussions. Respect is taking the time to show that you care about what is going on for others and what matters to them. It is also taking time to help others to achieve their goals.
A disrespectful behavior is interrupting people or not letting them participate in discussions. Another is dismissing the ideas that others offer.
Communication of relevant information is key to respect. When we withhold information from our teams, we usually think we are protecting them but from their perspective it often feels that we do not respect them enough to share it with them.
How can teams develop a respectful environment?
It takes continuous effort to build and maintain a respectful environment in our workplace. It takes building an environment where everyone’s contributions are appreciated and not dismissed. I find it is also helpful to make sure that everyone in a meeting has had an opportunity to speak up and offer opinions and ideas. Another approach is to work with each person on the team to find the roles that work for them and allow them to be productive and happy. Another key element is modeling the behaviors you want to see in the team.
Keileigh Bennett, Facilities and Operations Department Head
Why is respect important?
Without respect there is no foundation. Without foundation, there is no trust. We have the privilege of performing cutting-edge, high-impact research at the Lab, often under strict parameters or deadlines. The research depends on world-class research facilities and expertise. The Facilities team is an extremely dedicated group, committed to supporting the research mission. Most important is our partnership with Science so that we can understand what we can do to best enable research. Each of us comes to the Lab with different backgrounds and expertise; it is important to respect everyone’s contribution and ideas. That’s how we collectively succeed.
What are examples of respectful behavior and disrespectful behavior?
An example of respectful behavior is cooperating with others to solve problems and/or improve processes and acknowledging every stakeholder’s part in the process. For example, Kristin Camarena, Senior Business Manager in the Chemical Sciences Division, reached out to partner with Facilities to improve processes. We have been meeting regularly to identify opportunities for improvement. Respect is listening to each other, seeking to understand each other and our needs and limitations, and working to identify solutions that present “win-wins.” We are here to manage the infrastructure needs that enable research. It is very rewarding to work with professionals that recognize the commitment of the Facilities team and want to partner with us to continuously improve our services.
An example of disrespectful behavior is not acknowledging the contributions of each and every team member that it takes to accomplish our mission at the Lab. Generally speaking, everyone comes to work to add value and contribute to the greater good. We need to always recognize that diversity of thought and the experience of many make for a better outcome.
How can teams develop a respectful environment?
From my perspective, there is no better formula for success than to build strong partnerships between Science and Facilities that will help us to understand and meet the infrastructure needs to support research. This means respecting each other’s roles and working together as a team to anticipate needs, understand each other’s priorities, and accomplish our goals together. Respect provides us all with meaningful and rewarding work and an engaging work environment.
Daniel Dores, Program Operations Analyst, Next Generation Ecosystem Experiment (NGEE)-Tropics Project, Earth and Environmental Sciences Area
Why is respect important?
In a respectful environment, people feel safe and comfortable, and are therefore able to bring their best selves and do a good job. When people feel valued, they go above and beyond. A respectful environment lifts up the whole team.
What are examples of respectful behavior and disrespectful behavior?
Respectful behavior is respecting people’s time; sometimes your colleagues are working on several projects so it’s important to be aware of their time constraints. It’s also important to be fully present in your interactions.
It’s important to define disrespectful behaviors. For example, the Lab’s FAIR Office has defined bullying as “a pattern of behavior that a reasonable person would find threatening, hostile, or offensive in the workplace given the totality of the circumstances” and offers examples of bullying behavior.
How can teams develop a respectful environment?
Many institutions have adopted a code of conduct to hold their teams accountable. For the NGEE-Tropics project, which is a large, multi-institution, and international effort, we are in the process of developing such a code of conduct. It’s a way of elevating awareness of physical and psychological safety for all members, including those working in the field. The code will define expectations for acceptable or desired behaviors, and what to do when these expectations are not met.
I think that all projects could benefit from taking a step back and evaluating their work cultures and creating language around respectful and disrespectful behavior, so that people can feel comfortable having discussions about these issues and raising any concerns.
Cameron Geddes, Accelerator Technology and Applied Physics (ATAP) Division Director, Physical Sciences Area
Why is respect important?
To me respect is a cornerstone of any good relationship, and underlies our ability to work together, combining our strengths through team science to solve the hardest problems. It is a key element in psychological safety. When people feel respected and safe, they are comfortable admitting mistakes and learning from them. This is important not only for a good environment; it also improves our decision-making and innovation.
What are examples of respectful behavior and disrespectful behavior?
Respect isn’t passive but active—it should be expressed and inform all our actions. For example, we can start with the way we introduce each other, citing contributions or expertise for a project. We should pull that thread through our interactions, actively listening to, engaging, recognizing, appreciating each team member, and giving them opportunities.
Respectful behavior also means standing up for others when we see that they have not been treated with respect. This can have an outsize impact for disadvantaged groups.
How can teams develop a respectful environment?
We should develop a culture of seeking and recognizing each other’s contributions. For example, we recently gave a Spot Award to Felecia Harris, a custodian, at her team’s meeting. A speck of dust on laser equipment can destroy the machine or the experiment, and Felicia’s excellent work deserved to be recognized.
Developing a respectful environment means treating everyone fairly or equitably, which doesn’t necessarily mean treating everyone equally. It means recognizing each person’s needs and providing the support that person needs. We need to put structures in place that make it possible for each person to contribute, for example, using the “raise hand” feature in Zoom meetings or having flexible work policies that allow everyone to engage fully.
Liana Klivansky, Principal Scientific Engineering Associate, Organic and Macromolecular Synthesis, Molecular Foundry
Why is respect important?
I believe that respect is important because it is a way of accepting other people’s ideas, values, cultures, and differences. I think if we all feel accepted, it would help build trust with each other which in turn brings a sense of belonging and safety. Respect in the workplace improves our connection with one another and it strengthens our collaboration or engagement with each other.
What are examples of respectful behavior and disrespectful behavior?
There are many examples of respectful behavior such as being polite, listening to another person’s point of view, participating in discussions constructively, being considerate, and apologizing for mistakes. Disrespectful behavior includes being rude or mean, being inconsiderate, or using power to assert control or to belittle others.
How can teams develop a respectful environment?
I think leaders should set the tone in being able to show open, clear, and honest communication with all team members. Team goals, values, and best practices should be clearly outlined. I also believe that everyone should feel that there is always an opportunity to communicate, to share thoughts and ideas without hesitation. In addition, if we accept our differences and see the value in everyone’s contribution this would help teams become more creative and innovative. A respectful environment makes for a happy workplace.
Trent Northen, Deputy Director for the Environmental Genomics & Systems Biology Division, Biosciences Area
Why is respect important?
Mutual respect provides a foundation for effective communication and cooperation. When we feel respected by and respect the other person, it makes us open to each other’s perspectives and ideas.
What are examples of respectful behavior and disrespectful behavior?
Examples of respectful behavior include remembering and using people’s names and pronouns in meetings, valuing their time and busy schedules, sincerely soliciting input, and making sure that everyone gets credit for their contributions.
A few examples of disrespectful behavior include using condescending tones, talking over others, ignoring suggestions, and failing to recognize the contributions of others.
How can teams develop a respectful environment?
Showing respect is a great starting point to being treated with respect and so it is important to establish a respectful and welcoming tone within the team right from the start, by leading by example. Once this has been established, it is the responsibility of everyone on the team to make sure that this is maintained—even when there are conflicts.
Mary Ann Piette, Director, Building Technology & Urban Systems Division, Energy Technologies Area
Why is respect important?
Everyone wants to be respected and treated with kindness, courtesy, and politeness. Every voice matters. Staff at all levels need to consider the way they treat others.
What are examples of respectful behavior and disrespectful behavior?
Take time to ask people how they are doing. Take time to listen to their responses. This is especially important in today’s online world with remote work that can cause isolation, lack of motivation, and burnout.
Disrespectful behaviors include interrupting, dismissing people’s ideas, and using aggressive language that is condescending.
How can teams develop a respectful environment?
Teams can develop a respectful environment by taking time to acknowledge the need for psychological safety, acknowledging implicit bias, and checking in with each other to understand whether team members are feeling included, welcome, and engaged.