Why “Respect” Posts are White Noise
Saw a LinkedIn post earlier this morning and sighed deeply out of annoyance. Why? Because in the year of 2026 we're still seeing “respect people regardless of title” posts.
I'm not talking about the posts that share a real-world story. I’m not talking about the ones where someone describes a high-stakes moment of standing up for a colleague or reflects on a hard-won lesson in leadership. Those posts have value. They change minds.
I’m talking about the "safe" ones. The ones that feature a stock photo of a CEO shaking hands with a janitor or a vague quote about how "the way you treat the server defines your character."
On the surface, the sentiment is fine. It’s "correct." But as a piece of professional content, it has become the most boring, repetitive white noise on the feed.
The Echo Chamber: Why the People Who Need to Hear it, Won't
Who are these posts actually for? The people who already behave like adults or the people who talk down to interns and support staff in real time?
The people who actually need the reminder are rarely the ones reading the post, reflecting deeply, and changing their behavior. They’re usually in the room while the disrespect is happening. They're the ones being normalized by silence cause most are too afraid to say anything in the moment.
When we post these generic platitudes, we aren’t changing behavior; we’re just high-fiving the people who already agree with us. It’s the "safest" possible take. No one is going to argue against respect, so it’s an easy way to get engagement without saying anything of substance.
No Story, No Substance: The Case for Context
If you’re going to post “respect people regardless of title,” at least give us the context. Without a story, it’s not a lesson; it’s a fortune cookie.
I’m genuinely curious about the "why":
Did a colleague dismiss the EA who actually keeps the whole operation moving?
Did you see a manager pull rank in a meeting instead of addressing the work?
Did you see someone berate a waiter at lunch?
Or did you just need to hit your posting cadence and this was the safest thing to type?
A real story forces specificity. It forces you to show what happened, what you did (or wish you did), and what you’d do differently next time. That is valuable leadership content.
The Scripts: How to Actually Intervene
Most people stay silent because they don't know how to intervene without making it "a thing." You don’t have to be dramatic; you just have to be clear. If you find yourself in a situation that calls for real leadership, try these:
When someone is being interrupted or ignored:
"I’d actually like to hear [Name] finish their thought before we move on."
"Let’s circle back—[Name] was making a point that we shouldn't gloss over."
When the tone becomes condescending:
"Let’s keep the focus on the work. The personal commentary isn't helping us get to a solution."
"That came off a bit dismissive. What’s the actual concern you're trying to address?"
When someone is "punching down":
"If there’s an issue with the process, take it up with me. Let’s leave [Name] to finish the task."
"Wait—[Name] is the expert on this specific workflow. Let’s listen to what they’re telling us."
The Simple Reset:
"Pause. Let's keep it professional."
"I think we can find a way to say that without the edge. What do you actually need from them?"
The Bar is Below The Floor
The fact that “respect people regardless of title” still circulates as a hot take in 2026 tells me something unpleasant: the platform is starving for real insight and workplace disrespect is still common enough that people feel the need to keep naming it.
So yes, respect everyone. Obviously. But then do the part that matters: Say it in the room, THEN tell us about it.
Small interventions change culture faster than a thousand generic posts.