The Benefits of Civility – A Reflection by Stuart IronsI was recently introduced to the study of civility by a friend. The topic seems particularly appropriate, as the festive season approaches. I had always taken it for granted that good manners were all about being kind to one another, but there is so much more to it, particularly within the work environment. Working processes are necessary and all well and good, but it is people that carry out the processes and how they are made to feel impacts their ability to carry out their roles.Research undertaken in America showed that the single most important factor in a working environment was the way people were treated. A smile, a kind word, someone taking a genuine interest and being thanked for what you do, works wonders for the people receiving the praise and reflects in their productivity. A perception of leaders is that they have to be tough and ruthless to succeed and that the good guys get overlooked for advancement. However, the research shows that in the long-term, good guys do succeed and have longer and more fulfilling careers and the organisations they head up are much more successful.Professor Christine Porath of the University of Nevada studied and tested the effect of incivility, and the results may surprise you. The way she puts her hypothesis is that we all have a bandwidth, that is our capacity to do a number of tasks each working day and the average is, say 5 to 7 tasks. If someone is disrespectful or rude to a person their bandwidth reduces by approximately 61%, according to her research and they carry the hurt with them for the rest of the day. The effect being that instead of carrying out 5 to 7 tasks they complete 3 or less. Furthermore, the effect that is often overlooked is how it affects a bystander, not involved in the argument, but who hears it. Most people put their heads down to avoid being treated badly too. Studies found that the listeners had about a 20% reduction in bandwidth and if they are asked to help, they are 50% less likely to do so.Incivility is a lack of respect for others in whatever form it takes, it can be small things like regularly being late for meetings or using a phone during meetings. Overtime the small acts can build up resentment and which in turn leads to bigger issues. Also, incivility can be contagious and spread. It can become the norm in an organisation which can then discourage new people joining the organisation and/or the winning of new contracts. Some people do not realise they are considered rude by others. It maybe they are always stressed by their job or bring their home lives into work with them. Whatever the reason they may not appreciate it, but they could well be demotivating others around them which can lead to their colleagues suffering work related stress and in some cases it can have physical effects on a person’s health.Being civil is important because it makes you come across as warm, confident, and smart. It is a trait seen in good leaders, and it motivates others to do better. People who are respected stay with their organisation and are engaged in furthering its aims. Small things make big differences such as smiling, thanking people, sharing credit, listening attentively. It is about making people feel valued.Do-Well run courses on raising awareness of the issues and can offer advice as to how to change the culture of an organisation and thereby improve its staff retention and productivity.Could I suggest you try it for yourself today. Approach one of your work colleagues and give them a smile, say hello, and thank them for their contribution. It will pay dividends in so many ways and may well make you feel better too.