085: Courtesy Is Not Optional: How We Treat People Is the Strategy

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Sarah Beth Herman discusses the decline of common courtesy and its implications for workplace culture and leadership. She shares a personal story about a simple act of kindness and how it highlighted the importance of courtesy as a fundamental leadership strategy. Sarah Beth emphasizes that culture is demonstrated through everyday interactions rather than mission statements. She provides a six-step framework for coaching employees to meet expectations and describes a practical example where she revamps her team's approach to overcome a challenging week. The episode concludes with a five-day reset plan to enhance courtesy within teams and solidify a culture of kindness, clarity, and accountability.Reference:Cuddy, A. (2012, November 19). First impressions: The science of meeting people. Wired. https://www.wired.com/2012/11/amy-cuddy-first-impressionsFiske, S. T., Cuddy, A. J. C., Glick, P., & Xu, J. (2002). A model of (often mixed) stereotype content: Competence and warmth respectively follow from perceived status and competition. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 82(6), 878–902. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.82.6.878Porath, C., & Pearson, C. (2013, January). The price of incivility. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2013/01/the-price-of-incivilityAndersson, L. M., & Pearson, C. M. (1999). Tit for tat? The spiraling effect of incivility in the workplace. Academy of Management Review, 24(3), 452–471. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.1999.2202131Totterdell, P., Hershcovis, M. S., Niven, K., Reich, T. C., & Stride, C. (2012). Can employees be emotionally drained by witnessing incivility directed toward coworkers? A diary study. Work & Stress, 26(1), 84–100. https://doi.org/10.1080/02678373.2012.657541Fredrickson, B. L. (2001). The role of positive emotions in positive psychology: The broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions. American Psychologist, 56(3), 218–226. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.56.3.218Algoe, S. B., Haidt, J., & Gable, S. L. (2008). Beyond reciprocity: Gratitude and relationships in everyday life. Emotion, 8(3), 425–429. https://doi.org/10.1037/1528-3542.8.3.425Support the showSOCIALS:No Silver Spoons®: InstagramDentistry Support: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedinThe Dental Collaborative: FacebookSarah Beth Herman: LinkedIn | Personal Bio | LinksFree Training for Dental OfficesDISCLAIMER:The content provided in this podcast, including by Sarah Beth Herman and any affiliated guests, is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice, including but not limited to medical, legal, or business consulting services. Listeners engage with the content at their own risk and are responsible for any actions taken based on the information presented. No guarantees are made regarding the accuracy or completeness of the content. For any questions, clarifications, or crediting of sources, please contact us directly, and we will make necessary adjustments.