We’ve all experienced those moments in the hustle and bustle of daily professional life. Whether it’s a restless night’s sleep or a challenging commute, sometimes external factors can leave us feeling irritable, prompting us to snap at a colleague who bears no fault. But what steps can we take to make amends?
A recent study sheds light on a compelling solution: embracing feelings of guilt may hold the key to redeeming ourselves after moments of misconduct, ultimately fostering more extraordinary kindness and diligence in the workplace. This revelation offers a glimmer of hope, suggesting that even in the face of our worst actions, redemption is possible.
“We discovered that lapses in workplace etiquette can affect anyone, as bad days spare no one. The aftermath is often accompanied by a sense of remorse,” explains Dr. Klodiana Lanaj, a professor of management at the University of Florida’s Warrington College of Business and co-author of the groundbreaking study. “The experience of guilt serves as a catalyst, propelling individuals to exert extra effort and exercise greater caution to avoid repeating the same discourteous behaviour. Over time, this self-correcting mechanism manifests, offering insight into the variability of workplace conduct.”
While previous research has extensively explored the propagation of rudeness within organisational settings, more attention should be paid to the consequences faced by individuals who engage in such behaviour or their subsequent actions towards their colleagues.
To unravel the aftermath of incivility, Lanaj, alongside doctoral candidate Daniel Kim from the University of Florida and Dr. Joel Koopman from Texas A&M University, embarked on a series of studies. These investigations delved into employees’ daily routines, prompting them to reflect on instances where they may have displayed rudeness towards their peers.
Their findings unveiled a notable trend: individuals who exhibited behaviours such as yelling or exclusion experienced pangs of guilt, often confiding in their partners about their actions later that evening. Remarkably, the following day witnessed a transformation in their demeanour, as they redoubled their efforts, displaying heightened diligence and a decreased likelihood of repeating their previous transgressions. This behavioural shift, driven by a desire to mend fractured relationships and salvage one’s professional reputation, offers a beacon of hope in the face of workplace discord.
“Uncivil conduct not only damages interpersonal bonds but also carries repercussions for the individual perpetrating it,” notes Kim. “Guilt, while burdensome, serves a dual purpose; it acts as a reminder of our missteps while facilitating our recovery by curbing incivility and fostering greater engagement in our work.”
The researchers caution that the best course of action is to preempt instances of unkindness altogether. Such behaviour inflicts harm on others and threatens to contaminate the workplace environment.
“Yet amidst this acknowledgment lies a glimmer of hope: individuals possess the capacity to rectify their actions through diligence, apologies, and a renewed commitment to politeness,” Lanaj adds, offering a ray of optimism amidst the complexities of workplace dynamics.
More information: Daniel Kim et al, Incivility Affects Actors Too: The Complex Effects of Incivility on Perpetrators’ Work and Home Behaviors, Journal of Business Ethics. DOI: 10.1007/s10551-024-05714-y
Journal information: Journal of Business Ethics Provided by University of Florida