Need for Peer Respect

People want to be respected by their peers – treated as equal colleagues whose contributions and dignity are valued. When team members view each other with respect, it boosts everyone’s morale and willingness to cooperate. The need for peer respect may drive individuals to prove their competence (so others will esteem them), to give credit and respect to fellow members in turn, and to handle any tensions about status or recognition in a fair, open way (rather than via put-downs or envy). Studies suggest that teams in which members feel respected and not talked down to tend to function better: they communicate more freely and have higher collective morale, which translates into better outcomes. Ensuring peer respect essentially means each person feels “I am valued here just as others are” – this feeling keeps collaboration working smoothly and maintains each person’s sense of dignity within the group.