Actions that build respect

(By Rick Lambert)

Respect hinges on the type of relationship a leader has with the followers.  Even a very distant leader like the President can bring a sense of relationship to the people.  The stronger the people feel the bond; the stronger respect is given to that leader.  Establishing a relationship with people doesn’t necessarily involve time spent with them.

Professional relationships are established and made strong through actions that communicate that you are interested in them – not necessarily personally (though under certain circumstances it may be appropriate), but professionally.  Their work is important to you.  What they bring in skills, attitudes and experience may be important to you.  The fact they performed the work safely or correctly should be important to you.  Other actions consist of:

• Honesty – Tell the truth, and don’t underestimate the power of a lie 
• Reliability – Developing a reputation of competence based on knowledgeable
• Teachability – always a learner in spirit and attitude
• Listen
• Determined – not a quitter!
• Be quick to learn from your mistakes
• Admit when you are wrong, and what you are doing to clear things up
• Be just.  Know when to take a stand
• Be part of the projects.  Be a part of what is happening
• Above all, treat others the way you like to be treated

The erosion of respect

(By Rick Lambert)

Respect is vital, if for nothing else, it protects you and your subordinates from bad attitudes, especially cynicism.  Cynicism is a direct sign that respect has been lost at some point.  In many cases, it may be a loss of respect for the company in general, but more often than not, it simply is the leader’s loss of respect. 

Cynicism cascades into negativity which eventually brings progress to a halt.  As enthusiasm is contagious in a positive sense, cynicism and negativity spread in a negative sense. 

Why cynicism (the evidence that respect has been lost) is a dangerous loss:

• You are no longer taken seriously. 
• You are no longer considered capable of handling the problems or challenges
• Cynicism implies that you can’t be completely trusted, and consequently must not be honest.
• Cynical attitudes stifle initiative.  It raises the simple question, “why should I put out?”
• New initiatives, even incentives are rarely strong enough to reverse the damaging effects of cynicism.  In fact, incentives are viewed as entitlements, not rewards for good effort.
• Cynicism takes a percentage of creativity, strength, commitment, and character away from the job, organization, the customer, and ultimately the future of the company. \

Learning and improving are the only ways to truly change cynicism into respect.  It’s a leadership tool underestimated in its strength and ability.  The question many are asking (though never verbalized); “Is there any leader out there who has the capacity and strength of character to truly sustain our belief in them?”

Earning and maintaining respect

(By Rick Lambert)

Leadership is the ability to build trust, respect and integrity into an organization or a cause. 

On a simple level, respect is holding a place in someone else’s opinion

On a work level, respect is your “approval rating” that contributes to or diminishes support and cooperation from others

On a leadership level, respect is what makes or breaks your reputation

Respect is simply to be impressed with someone.  To make note of their strengths, consistency, or assistance, and as a result, hold them in high regard.  It recognizing what stands out in someone’s life that you admire.

Overall, respect is directly connected to something you value in that person.  If you value character, you’ll respect the demonstration of character in others.  If athletic ability is what you value, then you’ll respect successful sports figures.

Respect is easy to loose, but in most cases, it can be won back. 

However, when it is lost, it doesn’t need to be something big; little things can cause you to lose respect:

• Poor listening skills (Not listening when someone is talking to you)
• Acting dictatorially
• Playing favorites
• Failure to give or share credit
• Consistently completing jobs late

“Regard your good name as the richest jewel you can possibly be possessed of -- for credit is like fire; when once you have kindled it you may easily preserve it, but if you once extinguish it, you will find it an arduous task to rekindle it again. The way to a good reputation is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear” (Socrates). 

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.