The Damage that Rudeness Can Do
March 21st, 2009 | 
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Intuitively, we know that bosses who demean their employees have a damaging effect on employees. This article highlights some research that appears to confirm our intuition. The study certainly shows that rude behavior has an effect on productivity and creativity. (You could infer, although this wasn’t studied, that there is also an effect on the organization’s bottom line).
One of the researchers made a quote that was pretty profound: “We found that even when the rude behavior is pretty mild, it impairs a person`s cognitive functioning and has spillover effects in how they treat their co-workers.”
Think about it. I have had clients who keep their mouth shut when they are upset or angry, but still express body language or facial gestures that indicate their displeasure. You might think this is about as mild as one could get, but the employees I’ve interviewed have indicated the damaging effects this has.
Often, the client may dismiss the effect this body language has on the employees. Until they see the results of the interviews from their employees.
I think I’ll keep this article in my hip pocket.
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