The Role of Dignity in Leadership: A New Paradigm for Modern Workplaces
19 Nov 2024
APB speaker Donna Hicks, an internationally renowned authority on dignity, recently published an article in the Harvard Business Review on how dignity fits into your leadership. She was co-author, along with Michael Pirson and Ayse Yemiscigil, professors at Fordham University.
In the article, the trio write that dignity is often overlooked in the modern workplace. Many organizations frequently prioritize goals and profits over their workers—damaging the employee-employer relationship. These actions can lead to decreased morale, increased turnover and even legal issues.
Leaders who acknowledge the significance of dignity can strengthen their connection with employees, improving motivation and engagement, Hicks, Pirson and Yemiscigil say. By seeing employees as human beings, rather than as mere tools for productivity, leaders can foster an environment where workers feel valued and respected. Research has shown a direct link between honoring dignity and increased job satisfaction, retention and collaboration.
“Teams with a higher sense of shared dignity were less likely to experience conflict, and even when conflict was inevitable, dignity protected team members from the harmful consequences of it,” they write. “For example, dignity buffered the impacts of team conflict on overall team satisfaction.”
Leading with dignity is not merely an idea but a practical approach to achieving better business outcomes, Hicks Pirson and Yemiscigil write. It requires a shift in perspective, where employees are seen as valuable individuals rather than instruments of productivity.
When leaders embrace this mindset, they pave the way for healthier communication, stronger collaboration and greater employee engagement. By recognizing the intrinsic worth of every person, leaders can transform their organizations into thriving communities that align business success with employees who thrive.