In 2025, one of the most-searched questions in workplace culture is simple: Why are people becoming less polite? From airport delays to office tensions, many workers want to understand why common courtesy has become so rare—and what it means for morale and productivity. Even psychologists and leadership coaches say incivility is rising fast, showing up in short tempers, impatience, and everyday interactions that feel far colder than they once were. The conversation is no longer about “bad manners” but about a cultural shift reshaping how we treat one another. And according to leadership experts, this shift is costing us far more than awkward moments.
Across workplaces, airports, and public spaces, reminders to “be kind” have become constant. Holiday travel now requires public service announcements telling people not to yell at airline staff or behave aggressively in crowded lines. Ten years ago, these reminders felt unnecessary; today, they’re essential. Leaders who coach executives say that even basic empathy feels unfamiliar to some professionals, who often ask why connecting with others is even required. Yet the same leaders express a desire for influence, meaningful impact, and stronger relationships—all impossible without human connection. The tension between ambition and empathy is becoming one of the core contradictions of modern work culture.
Many people move through life with increasing speed—more tasks, tighter schedules, shorter attention spans. The assumption is that productivity equals progress, but experts argue the opposite. Rushing may help us check off to-do lists, but it limits the most meaningful part of work: our relationships. Connections with colleagues, clients, and community members often shape careers more than completed tasks ever could. When courtesy disappears, trust erodes with it, and productivity actually falls. Slowing down enough to engage respectfully may be one of the most underestimated professional skills of the decade.
While people often talk about “kindness,” the actions behind it are surprisingly basic. Saying “please,” “thank you,” or “I’m sorry” still matters. Holding doors open, greeting people by name, listening with eye contact, or lowering the volume of a phone call in public—all are simple gestures that once felt automatic. Today, many admit they struggle to remember the last time someone offered a seat on a bus or even acknowledged them with a smile. The erosion of these small acts hasn’t happened overnight; it’s the result of collective distraction and rising social pressure. But that also means it can be reversed through intentional habits.
Decades before smartphones or remote work, Dale Carnegie’s classic How to Win Friends and Influence People taught the power of smiling, listening, and using someone’s name. Surprisingly, these principles may be even more valuable now than when they were first published. In an age of digital communication and emotional exhaustion, small courtesies feel rare—and therefore more meaningful. People who practice them consistently often build stronger networks and healthier workplace relationships. The impact isn’t just polite conversation; it is influence, trust, and reputation, all built from simple behaviors that signal respect.
Leaders increasingly face teams feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, and undervalued. Common courtesy offers a low-cost, high-impact solution. A sincere apology, a moment of recognition, or a gesture of patience can shift team dynamics more effectively than most performance metrics. When people feel valued, they respond with higher engagement and stronger collaboration. Courtesy is not just politeness—it’s psychological safety in action. And experts note that leaders who model it set cultural standards others naturally follow.
Even if environments around us feel rushed or dismissive, each person still has the power to set a different tone. Courtesy creates pockets of humanity in spaces that feel increasingly transactional. A simple gesture can defuse tension, restore trust, or shift someone’s day entirely. As workplaces become more complex and public interactions more strained, reviving common courtesy has become more than nostalgia—it’s a form of social repair. Rebuilding a more civil world may start with choosing to be the person who slows down, acknowledges others, and treats them with the respect we all hope to receive.
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