Leadership - A matter of respect

There are two types of respect given to leaders: the respect of their rank (or position) and the respect of the person.

Respect of rank is a given. Rank describes the position of an individual in the hierarchy of an organisation. You salute/recognise the rank/position even if you don’t know or respect the individual.

Respect of the person is something that is earned. This respect takes time to develop and comes from really getting to know the person behind the rank/position. It is gained through the example set by that individual’s actions and behaviour.

The true leader knows it is what they do and how they do it that will earn them the real respect of the team.

They know they have to work to gain this respect and that it is not automatically given. They know it is what they do and not the work of others that generates this respect. They understand that reputation counts for little and that what they have done in the past is nowhere near as important as what they do now and in the future.

They know that true respect for them as an individual can only be given voluntarily and not forced from their team.

They understand that the traits and behaviours they display as a person, their own characteristics, personality and integrity are what will lead their team to respect them.

Importantly though, they understand the difference between being liked and being respected. To the true leader, respect is more important than being liked. They are willing to be disliked for what they do.

It is sad to watch when the leadership of a country, of a business, of a community or group openly disregard this important principle of leadership and focus instead on leading by fear, falsehoods and media/people manipulation. Far too often our leader today are asking us to respect them while displaying little in the way of earning that respect.

Yet, there are great leaders out there. Some are well known, but more often then not, they are just ordinary people in ordinary roles - not even leadership - who, through their actions, through the qualities they display, earn the respect of those around them - at work, at home, in schools, in hospitals, in services, in business, in community groups, on the sporting field or anywhere else where they give of themselves.

Wouldn't it be good if we let those people know that they are respected?

It might just encourage others to be great leaders themself!

Go on; make your dreams a reality.

Regards
Colin Emerson
TODAY! Seminars
www.todayseminars.com.au

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