RESPECT IS A TWO WAY STREET
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“There is no respect for others without humility in one’s self.” - Henri Frederic Amiel
In your everyday hustle and bustle, are you being a respectful leader?
We live in an age where busy is the norm for most leaders and even families. However, in the midst of your busyness, are you giving and getting respect from the people in your life? Does your family respect you? Do the people at your job respect you?
Respect is a two way street. We have always heard the old adage of, “You have to give respect to get respect.” Is this a true statement?
I have had several interesting conversations regarding whether respect is deserved or earned.
I believe too many people feel entitled in regards to respect. I think it is safe to say that everyone deserves respect. As a leader, we should want to earn the respect of everyone. If we feel deserving of others respect, then we will set our leadership up to fail. People who feel they deserve respect will tend to do any of the following:
1. Think everything is about them.
2. Start to make unrealistic expectations for themselves and others.
3. Feel sorry for themselves when things go wrong.
4. Blame others for any mishaps.
5. Manipulate, lie, or deceive those people who don’t give respect.
6. Take more than they give in any relationship.
7. Struggle with negotiating or compromising for better good.
8. Offend those who may not give respect.
9. Generally will think they are better than other people.
10. Crave admiration and will have a “god complex.”
The total opposite is true for those with the thought process of wanting to earn the respect of others. These people have completely different perspective and success trajectory because of their willingness to work to receive the respect of others. Here are some amazing ways to earn the respect of others:
1. Be consistent and proactive.
2. Say what you mean and mean what you say.
3. Don’t waste other people’s time.
4. Stop gossiping. (Good leaders don’t hate on others because they are busy)
5. Be nice.
6. Be humble.
7. Be open-minded.
8. Add value to the lives of others.
9. Believe in yourself and others.
10. Serve without conditions
11. Stop talking and listen.
12. Discipline your emotions.
Whether you are in a position of leading people at work or leading your family members at home, respect is earned. Everyday I interact with my wife and children; I am trying to discover ways of earning their respect. I am still trying to earn your respect because I value the relationship we have through our blog community. Your time is valuable and I don’t want to blog about things that aren’t important to the growth of your life. When I write, my aspirations are to add value to your personal or professional life. I vow to continue to develop content that will build you up and take your life to the next level. Are you trying to earn the respect of others?
When we make it a point to earn the respect of others, we will find ourselves in rare company. People will look at us differently; therefore giving us trust we never thought we would receive from some of the people in our lives.
Please share your thoughts on whether you think respect is deserved or earned. Please leave a comment below, send me a tweet on Twitter, or leave a comment on Facebook.
