Gregg Ward, author of The Respectful Leader: Seven Ways to Influence Without Intimidation, describes two kinds of respect and disrespect:

1. Instant Respect
2. Developed Respect

Instant Respect

“Instant Respect (or Instant Disrespect) is an unconscious, instinctual reaction that usually occurs just a few milliseconds after coming into face-to-face contact with someone we’ve never met before,” he says.

Janitors frequently encounter instant disrespect due to their occupational status.

Developed Respect

“This type of respect or disrespect develops over time, as we learn more about someone’s ‘invisible attributes’ such as their talents, skills, education, experience, training, politics, nationality, marital and parental status, religion, etc,” he said.

Janitors can earn developed respect by increasing their skills in areas such as Evidence-based Cleaning for Health and applying the principles of Kaizen.

That is one of our goals, and Kaizen in Cleaning helps.