Respectful behavior is essential to the collaborative work at the heart of the MIT Mission Statement, and it's a pillar of the MIT Values Statement.
MIT has prioritized creating a culture of respect, inclusion, and collaboration, and many offices and staff are immersed in that effort.
We all have a stake and responsibility in this priority. Each of us can and should work to make sure all members of the MIT community feel valued, respected, listened to, and heard – with compassion, kindness, and a collaborative spirit regardless of function, level, or aspects of identify.
What you can do
Respect is a byproduct of how we behave and how others experience us. Being respectful begins with your mindset. Try to:
- Be open to the needs, interests, and feelings of others
- Embrace transparency and inclusion as core values
- See diversity as a strength
- Value each person, regardless of their role or identity
- Be curious and open to others’ experience and perspectives
- Question your assumptions before acting on them
- View all interactions as an opportunity for building understanding and relationships
Being respectful in our actions requires managing ourselves and being attuned to others. The following resources can help you build skills in these areas.
For everybody
- Active Listening (HR workshop)
- Aperian's GlobeSmart (Cross-cultural resource)
- Breaking the Bias Habit (Online learning resource)
- Contributing to an Inclusive Community (HR workshop)
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at MIT (MIT resource)
- MIT HR Center for WorkLife and WellBeing Webinar Series (Webinars)
- MIT Voices: Bystander Intervention (MIT web course)
- MIT Voices: Personal Accountability (MIT web course)
- Own Your Behaviors, Master Your Communication, Determine Your Success (TedTalk)
- Search Inside Yourself Keynote Session (HR workshop)
- Search Inside Yourself Program (HR program)
- Stress Reduction, Mindfulness, and Relaxation (MIT Medical resources)
- 3 Ways to Better Understand Your Emotions (Article)
- 3 Ways to Practice Civility (TedTalk video)
- Understand and Manage Your Emotions (HR workshop)
- Ways to Say Thank You at MIT (HR resource)
- What’s the Best Way to Build Trust at Work (Article)
Especially for managers
- Creating a Learning Work Environment that Meets Professional Needs (Article)
- How Fearless Organizations Succeed (Article)
- Leaders Don’t Have to Choose Between Compassion and Performance (Article)
- Managing and Developing Staff (HR resource)
- Understand and Manage Your Emotions — For Managers (HR workshop)
- What Makes Work Meaningful — or Meaningless (Article)
- Why Being Respectful to Your Coworkers Is Good for Business (TedTalk video)
For a personal consultation related to how you can contribute to a culture of respect at MIT, email tdrequests@mit.edu.