How Developing an Actively Respectful Culture™ Drives Engagement, Loyalty, Productivity, and Resilience in today’s VUCA Environments

Overview. Not very long ago, respect was considered a nice-to-have in workplaces dominated by “mad men” and hard-charging, my-way-or-the-highway workaholics. Sadly, many leaders still operate from these paradigms and consider respect to be unrelated to organizational success. But today 58% of the global workforce is comprised of Millennials and Gen-Z’s – a diverse, highly educated, socially conscious, and culturally-savvy group that considers respect to be a top motivator (Sources: PWC 2024 and 2022 Argyle-Leger Confidence Report). Members of this employee demographic are ten times more likely to quit their jobs because of a toxic work environment than for compensation (Source: MIT/Sloan School of Management). They require a new leadership style that is grounded in respect. The key lesson: today, respect and respectful workplace cultures are no longer nice-to-have, they’re absolute business imperatives.

Gregg Ward’s data-filled, energizing, interactive, and compelling talk targets every organizational level and reveals the secret to fulfilling these new imperatives by learning to “lead with respect,” through Respectful Leadership™ and by creating ARCs™ (Actively Respectful Cultures) within our organizations. This powerful shift will drive the highest levels of employee engagement, performance, partnership, and loyalty – directly and positively impacting their colleagues and customers alike.

Attendees will discover:

• The New Workplace Reality: Gain insights into the latest, critical data revealing the profound changes in today’s workplace and workforce dynamics.
• The Power of Respectful Leadership™: Understand why traditional leadership styles like Command and Control, and Carrot and Stick are losing their impact, and how Respectful Leadership™ can significantly boost productivity, foster partnerships, and drive exceptional business outcomes.
• Building an Actively Respectful Culture™: Learn how cultivating a culture of active respect enhances employee engagement, increases retention, and inspires teams to go above and beyond, especially during challenging times.

In a world that celebrates legendary heroes overcoming immense challenges, we often overlook the everyday heroes among us—ordinary individuals who find the good in others and uncover hidden “diamonds in the rough.” This inspiring keynote by Gregg Ward, Founder of the Center for Respectful Leadership, shines a light on these unsung heroes and the profound impact of recognizing and respecting the potential goodness in everyone, even those who are challenging, difficult or have a viewpoint that is the polar opposite of our own.

This moving and transformative talk delves into the critical importance of actively seeking out the good in those we encounter in our workplaces, homes, and communities. They’re the young person who helps the elderly and disabled to cross a street safely; a neighbor who – without being asked – cleans up our yard after a storm; a boss who goes out of their way to respect, coach, and counsel a difficult employee, rather than just firing them.

Backed by neuroscience, Gregg reveals how, as Ken Blanchard often says, “catching people doing things right,” and genuinely acknowledging the good in and respecting them triggers the release of “feel-good hormones” such as dopamine, serotonin, endorphins, and oxytocin in both parties, creating a ripple effect of respect and cooperation.

Why This Keynote?

• Inspiration for Today’s Challenges: In our polarized times, this talk offers much-needed inspiration and practical strategies for fostering positive and productive relationships.
• Neuroscience Insights: Learn the essential neuroscience behind why recognizing the good in others makes us feel better and improves our interactions.
• Practical Techniques: Discover how to effectively identify and acknowledge the good in others, enhancing both professional and personal relationships.
• Building Respectful Cultures: Understand the powerful impact of relationships grounded in mutual respect, leading to more productive outcomes.

Key Takeaways for Attendees:

• Harnessing Neuroscience: Understand the brain science behind feeling good about ourselves and others through respect.
• Spotting the Good: Learn practical methods for finding and acknowledging the good in those around you.
• Transforming Relationships: Explore how focusing on “diamonds in the rough” and recognizing positive actions can transform interactions and drive success.
• Creating Respectful Environments: Discover how cultivating mutual respect can lead to more cooperative and fruitful relationships.

Gregg Ward’s “Diamonds In The Rough” keynote is essential for any organization seeking to navigate our complex, polarized world with positivity, productivity, and mutual respect.

Overview: There is no doubt that this coming election – no matter who wins – is going to result in significant political/social turmoil. Most experts, including the award-winning, bestselling author, keynoter, and global thought leader Gregg Ward, believe that it will “bleed over” into the workplace.

Is your organization prepared? What can you do to keep politics from upending and possibly destroying workplace relationships? How can you ensure that employees still feel like they belong and are welcomed even if your leadership has already come down on one side or the other? How can you ensure that workplace conversations are about work and won’t devolve into debates or even conflict? And how do you give feedback to those who’ve been involved in disruptive incidents?
This energetic, and very timely, important, and informative talk, delivered by a former professional stage actor and European news correspondent, answers these questions and offers real-world, practical recommendations, tools and techniques that can immediately be put into practice.

Attendees will discover:

• Proactive Strategies for Unity: Master techniques to foster a sense of belonging and preemptively address potential controversies and conflicts, especially during high-stakes times like elections.
• Instant Conflict Resolution: Gain practical skills to de-escalate contentious discussions or incidents in real-time, ensuring a harmonious and respectful environment.
• Effective HR Collaboration: Learn how to partner seamlessly with HR, using proven tools and techniques to provide constructive and actionable feedback to those involved in incidents, promoting growth and resolution.

• The Hidden Power of Neuroscience: Uncover why our initial reactions to others’ behaviors are rooted in the brain’s emotional responses, not logic, and learn how to harness this knowledge to foster respectful interactions.
• The Reciprocity of Respect: Learn how showing respect can dramatically increase the likelihood of reciprocation, cooperation, and sustained engagement, leading to a more motivated and committed team.
• The Secret to High-Performing Teams: Explore how creating a psychologically safe environment, where respect is paramount, drives superior team outcomes and fosters innovation and collaboration.