Respect is one of the most commonly used—and least clearly defined—words in the workplace. We’re told it matters, but rarely given the language or tools to talk about what respect actually looks like in practice.

In this practical and accessible guide for team leaders and team players alike, Dr. Julie Pham helps you navigate the ambiguity of respect in the American workplace. Through stories, reflection prompts, and real-world scenarios, she invites you to get curious about how you define respect, how others may define it differently, and how those differences shape communication, trust, and relationships at work.

You’ll learn how to: -Decode the unspoken rules of workplace respect-Clarify what respect means to you personally-Understand why you respond differently depending on context, power, and relationships-Build shared language to talk about respect clearly and constructivelyThe book is organized into four parts.

First, you’ll contextualize respect by exploring how hierarchy, expectations, and lived experience influence how we interpret respectful behavior over time.

Next, you’ll assess your own priorities through an in-book assessment that reveals which forms of respect you value most, with access to an online version for continued reflection.

You’ll then learn the 7 Forms of Respect—Procedure, Punctuality, Information, Candor, Consideration, Acknowledgment, and Attention—each brought to life through examples and thought-provoking scenarios that show how respect can be relative, contradictory, and deeply subjective.

Finally, you’ll practice applying the 7 Forms of Respect to yourself, with others, and on your team, using guided exercises and downloadable worksheets to turn insight into everyday action.

Whether you manage people or simply work with them, this audiobook will help you communicate more clearly, strengthen relationships, and practice curiosity where it matters most.