Respecting one another is the right thing to do

As I reflect on my eight years at the College, the last three as CEO—and prior to that, as Deputy CEO—we have come a long way when it comes to respecting one another, whether it is between Fellows, Trainees, Specialist International Medical Graduates and College staff. Or have we? The recent evaluation of the Building Respect initiative has demonstrated we have made some gains in achieving more respectful workplaces, but why does the problem of inappropriate behaviour persist? I still see examples of this around me and I still see Fellows turning a blind eye and not ‘speaking up’ when these behaviours are exhibited.

I have also experienced these behaviours myself from Fellows. Sometimes the behaviours are what some would call borderline ‘micro-aggressions’ or ‘micro-corrections’. However, it is these behaviours that can cause the most harm when repeated and allowed to fester. I am concerned when I see these behaviours expressed in some of the correspondence in the form of emails from our Fellows to College staff—what was the writer thinking? Did they not realise that another human being with feelings would be reading the email? Unfortunately, this goes on, and as CEO I have instructed College staff to report these incidents as they will not be tolerated and will be dealt with. We have had some staff leave the College because of inappropriate behaviours from Fellows. It is indeed a sorry reflection on RACS when this happens, but it does. On a more positive note, most of our members do the right thing and recognise and live the College values: Service, Respect, Integrity, Compassion and Collaboration.

I ask everyone reading this article to look at themselves in the mirror; to reflect on their behaviours and those of others around them, commit to leading a culture of respect, to call out poor behaviour when it occurs and come to the aid of affected individuals who will be suffering in silence. Our workplaces will be better for it—more kindness and less stress and frustration. In the words of the great General Morrison who addressed the 2016 RACS ASC in Brisbane … “the standard you walk past is the standard you accept.” When RACS initially committed to ‘Building Respect’ it was lauded by everyone and we were a leader in this area. Let us all re-commit to this pledge, to be authentic leaders, compassionate and caring, and always respectful of others. Above all, we want the members of our profession to exemplify the values we aspire to.

John Biviano

CEO