This is our third installment of an introduction to the 7 Forms of Respect (FoR),™a tool that provides a vocabulary to describe what matters most to you and others. The 7 FoR tool builds mutual trust and understanding by giving people a vocabulary to describe what matters to you and to others. Respect is relative. What is important to you might not be important to someone else.
In this post, we will be going in-depth on “Information” as a form of respect. The others include: procedure, punctuality, candor, consideration, acknowledgement and attention. Information as a form of respect can be described as access to unedited information.
HHow Information Shows Up as a Form of Respect
Understanding Information in Everyday Life
Imagine you’re the CEO of a company discussing pay equity. You’ve built a culture of transparency, and some senior leaders suggest publishing everyone’s salary to promote fairness. You know, however, that many employees feel uncomfortable with that idea.
If you decide to publish salaries, you’re giving Information as a form of respect—valuing openness and access to knowledge.
If you choose not to publish, you’re showing Consideration, respecting the privacy of employees who prefer to keep personal information confidential.
This example illustrates that respect looks different to different people. What feels transparent to one person might feel invasive to another. Creating respectful policies requires balancing these perspectives.
What Information Looks Like
When Information is your preferred form of respect, you value openness and inclusion through communication. This can look like:
- Providing background details and extra context during discussions.
- Inviting people to meetings, even if their role is minor or unclear.
- Copying colleagues on emails simply to keep them informed.
- Offering open access to shared files so others can review them freely.
When Information Feels Lacking
For those who don’t prioritize Information as a form of respect, too much openness can feel overwhelming. A lack of Information may instead look like:
- Sharing details only on a need-to-know basis.
- Inviting only essential participants to meetings.
- Removing people from email chains when their involvement is no longer needed.
Neither approach is right or wrong—it’s about how individuals define respect.
Why Information Matters
People value Information differently based on their upbringing, work experiences, or organizational culture. Understanding why this matters helps clarify expectations and reduce misunderstandings.
The 7 Forms of Respect® (FoR) framework gives teams a shared language to discuss these differences. When you understand which forms of respect you and others prefer, you can navigate tension more thoughtfully and explain why certain behaviors matter to you.
Scenario 1: Too Much of a Good Thing
Mona, a project manager who moved from small nonprofits to a large tech company, suddenly found herself overwhelmed by emails and meetings. Her coworkers copied her on nearly everything. Initially, she thought they were helping her catch up.
After two months, Mona told her manager the constant flow of information made it hard to focus. Her manager replied, “We show respect here by giving Information. We keep people in the loop and let them decide what’s relevant.”
Mona realized the company valued transparency as a form of respect, even when it created information overload. For her, this was an adjustment—one that revealed how norms around Information can vary between workplaces.
Scenario 2: Different Expectations on the Same Team
Eric and Leo, peers on the same team, often collaborated over email. When Leo copied their manager on a response, Eric felt exposed and frustrated. He saw it as unnecessary and disrespectful.
Leo explained, “Our manager said she likes visibility and wants to be copied. I’m just following her preference.” Eric then understood that Leo wasn’t undermining him—he was honoring their manager’s need for Information.
This scenario highlights how miscommunication can occur when people hold different views on what respectful communication looks like.
Building Empathy Through Shared Language
Our preferences for respect—whether we value Information, Consideration, or another form—often stem from personal history. By explaining those experiences, we build empathy and deepen understanding.
When working with people who have different preferences, ask about their background and influences. Use the 7 Forms of Respect® to guide the conversation.
Information, at its core, is about offering access and transparency without expectation. You share knowledge freely so others can decide what to do with it. Not valuing Information doesn’t make someone disrespectful—it simply means they might prioritize privacy or focus over full transparency.
What’s Next
Check out Dr. Julie Pham’s book, 7 Forms of Respect: A Guide to Transforming Your Communication and Relationships at Work.
To learn more, visit our website. CuriosityBased is also available to hold workshops with your company or team about applying the 7 Forms of Respect to improve communication, collaboration and trust.
Is Information a form of respect for you?
Take the free quiz here.
