Incivility

Came across a TED talk video that touched something that’s very close to my heart – incivility. As per the speaker, incivility is rude or impolite behaviour and could comprise any of the following- texting during the meeting, coming late or leaving early under any pretext, demeaning others, making mockery etc. The video goes on to analysing the reasons that lead to incivility, especially in an office scenario and steers clear of incivility in our outside office behaviour, which will include all that tantamounts to breach of social etiquette, a very large theme in itself. But most importantly the talk refers to studies and empirical data flowing out of such studies that clearly prove that incivility leads to a serious and significant erosion in productivity and bottom line. And the indirect outcomes include lack of involvement of employees, indifference towards corporate’s cause and ultimate attrition.

I am neither an advocate of complete democracy in an organisation nor do I support insubordination of any kind. But whether rudeness, hitting below the belt, mocking people, treating them with disdain are the only tools with the managers to deal with underperforming staff or are their more civilised tools available that help in conveying the message without hurting the ego or the sensibility of the guy being reprimanded.

To me this issue should not be swept under the carpet by any organisation on the grounds of “ this being any manager’s inherent nature or style of functioning”, but should be discussed threadbare in the overall interest of the organisation of the outcomes of incivility are so serious.