Respect

The core of civilized behavior is respect. Respect is an interaction. To earn respect, you must give your respect to others. Think about it. Is there anyone you respect who does not respect you? Respect comes from seeing other people as equal to you, and treating them as such.

You don’t have to agree with someone to respect that person. Everyone has a different perspective. And “different” does not necessarily imply “better” or “worse”. Respect comes from judging the value of other people’s actions and ideas, rather than passing judgment on people themselves. You can have differing opinions, and still maintain respect.

To respect others, and to gain their respect, you must be able to identify with them. Respect often comes from shared experiences. When an employer “rolls up her sleeves” and goes to work on the factory floor with hourly employees, the level of mutual respect increases. What experiences could you share with others, to increase the respect between you?

When a relationship operates on mutual respect, things can be accomplished faster and more effectively than would otherwise be possible. Respect is more than a decent and ethical way to relate, it is also a valuable strategy for success.