Every Tuesday, Patricia Yaya, AGU Vice President of Human Resources & Administrative Services, sends a message to the entire AGU staff featuring five short tips for getting by in the workplace.  On the Job will be publishing these tips in a new weekly segment, Tuesday Top 5.

Whether at work or at home, everyone wants to be appreciated and respected. We may be outstanding performers and be neither appreciated nor respected. How we carry ourselves, how we behave and how we act and react matters. Our peers, bosses and family members listen, watch and know what we say and don’t say, what we do and don’t do. Fundamentally, for each of us to succeed in any environment, we need to appreciate and respect ourselves; it’s all downhill from there.

Here are your Tuesday Top 5 tips for how to gain appreciation and earn respect:

1. Demonstrate self-confidence.

You are in charge of how you feel about yourself. Just you. No one else. To demonstrate self-confidence: (1) Look the part (e.g., take care of yourself, dress for the occasion); (2) be aware of your posture, facial expression, and body language; (3) be authentic; (4) accept compliments graciously; (5) do what you believe is right rather than what other’s think you should do; and (6) share your knowledge.

Hint: Confidence in one’s self inspires confidence in others. If you lack confidence, learn to manage your mind, to identify triggers and to drown out negativity. There are many online resources and self-help books to help in this area.

2. Practice accountability.

When you make a mistake, admit it, own it, and solve it. It is important that you not only fess up but that you learn from it and share what you learned with others so they learn as well. And, don’t forget to apologize; when you are wrong, admit it.

3. Step outside your comfort zone.

Try something different. Push yourself to be better and to achieve more. Be willing to take risks. Start small. (Run a 3K before running a marathon.) For example, if you fear public speaking, start by practicing with family and friends. Then, take it to the next level, all while building your confidence and expanding your comfort zone.

4. Understand that behaviors matter.

You may be a good, even an exemplary, worker and still not be appreciated or respected. Good work can be overlooked when your actions and behaviors are less than ideal (e.g., habitually late, gossiping, constantly complaining).

5. Help others.

Be a contributor and add value to someone else. Go the extra mile and take someone (or others) with you. There is a direct relationship between how helpful you are and how valued and respected you are.

Patricia Yaya is the Vice President of Human Resources and Administrative Services at the American Geophysical Union.  Additional AGU Staff contributed to this blog.