In their book, Millennials Who Manage, authors Chip Espinoza and Joel Schwarzbart, quote Donna Hicks's explanation about how dignity is different from respect.
- Dignity is different from respect in that it is not based on how people perform, what they can do for us, or their likability. Dignity is a feeling of inherent value and worth.
Therefore, Espinoza and Schwarzbart recommend that leaders treat those they are leading with dignity and follow Hick's 10 Essential Elements of Dignity:
- Acceptance of Identity – Approach people as being neither inferior nor superior to you. Assume that others have integrity.
- Inclusion – Make others feel that they belong, whatever the relationship.
- Safety – Put people at ease at two levels: physically, so they feel safe from bodily harm, and psychologically, so they feel safe from being humiliated.
- Acknowledgment – Give people your full attention by listening, hearing, validating, and responding to their concerns, feelings, and experiences.
- Recognition – Validate others for their talents, hard work, thoughtfulness and help. Be generous with praise and show appreciation and gratitude to others for their contributions and ideas.
- Fairness – Treat people justly, with equality, and in an evenhanded way.
- Benefit of Doubt – Treat people as trustworthy. Start with the premise that others have good motives and are acting with integrity.
- Understanding – Believe that what others think matters. Give them a chance to explain and express their points of view. Actively listen in order to understand them.
- Independence – Encourage people to act on their own behalf so that they feel in control of their lives and experience a sense of hope and possibility.
- Accountability – Take responsibility for your actions. If you have violated the dignity of another person, apologize. Make a commitment to change your hurtful behaviors.
