Respecting those you work with reveals your desire to create a healthy work environment. Polite communication, appropriate interactions and respect for co-workers' thoughts and ideas demonstrate your ability to look beyond your own interests to pursue team-centered work goals. As you deal with co-workers honestly and respectfully, you establish a level of trust with them. According to Amy Rees Anderson, a contributor to Forbes magazine, those who trust you will spread the word of that trust to their associates, and word of your character will spread like wildfire.