The Respect of Leadership

(By Rick Lambert) 

Respect v. 1. to feel or show esteem for; to honor.  2. To show consideration for; avoid violation of; treat with deference.

Respect is like an adhesive that binds people together.  Without it, trust, integrity and progress are stifled, even ruined.  Though the concept of respect often goes unnoticed, it’s absence is felt most profoundly.  Companies have gone bankrupt when consumers lose confidence in their product.  Politicians have been soundly defeated when they compromised their respect.  Families have disintegrated when respect was neglected.

Greatness is never measured in achievements.  Greatness receives the magnanimous opinions of others because of the respect it generated; respect is the measurement of greatness.  Even your reputation is supported by respect.  Take away respect, and your reputation is what suffers. 

For a word that appears so genteel, it packs quite a punch.  It’s not a quality to be trifled with, or treated lightly.  On the contrary, it should be guarded and protected like a rare treasure.  Develop this quality in the workplace, and you’ll love your job, not to mention that people will love working for you. 

Disregard respect, and the consequences will be severe.  To demand respect without winning it is a risky proposition, and if you fail to earn it after it’s been entrusted to you, your fame will be great in the most negative sense.  Arrogance and selfishness are at the root of someone’s thinking who devalues the power of respect.

Respect is not something you can insist be given.  It is given and grown simply because it is earned.  You can respect a position someone holds, and not respect the person who holds the position.  Everyone, for the president to the pauper must earn respect where they are at in position and opportunity.  Look at it this way, the first rung on the ladder of success is respect.