Recently, The Missouri Bar randomly selected a number of attorneys to participate in a survey on the state of civility and professionalism among lawyers.
In one section, the survey takers wanted to know if the lawyers experienced any unprofessional or uncivil behavior toward them by other lawyers. They wanted to know if they experienced an attorney using inappropriate language in letters and in email. They wanted to know if they experienced an attorney using inappropriate comments about age or experience. They wanted to know if there were any inappropriate sexist, racial or gender comments made by one lawyer to another. The answers were broken down to whether they experienced the behaviors within (1) the last month, (2) the past year, or (3) the past ten years.
They also asked the lawyers to comment on the behavior of other attorneys in the following areas: tardiness for court, lack of preparation, lack of courtesy, inappropriate attire, and lack of honesty. The answers were broken down to whether they experienced the behaviors (1) frequently, (2) occasionally, (3) seldom, and (4) never.
The survey takers are interested in knowing if there's been an increase or a decrease in uncivil and unprofessional behaviors and they want to know how often those behaviors happen. We'll see the results when all the answers are tabulated. Having lawyers take this survey may result in finding solutions to the problem behaviors.
Here's one solution to the problem behaviors -- and it really doesn't matter what your profession is. We can choose to treat people we have contact with, no matter where we are -- in a kinder, gentler, and more respectful manner.
In their book, Leading with Kindness, co-authors William Baker & Michael O'Malley list six ingredients for workplace kindness:
Compassion -- Integrity -- Gratitude -- Authenticity -- Humility -- Humor
Those six ingredients might just make a good recipe for a New Year's Resolution.
Hmmm....that's interesting, isn't it? I may just have to give that recipe a try. It might be a "keeper".
We'd like to hear your take on this. Do you have a better recipe?
