People and organizations naturally include respect in their list of important values. Yet so often, at all levels and areas, people complain that respect is missing. Every person is a sovereign entity and is owned by nobody. Nothing but force can change that. Therefore people will choose to follow only those whom they respect. Respect is earned by the consistent correct practice of value-based behaviour, including: - • Treating all others as if they were themselves. • Being the behaviour they seek from others. • Listening to what others have to say. • Honouring others right to an opinion. • Encouraging and facilitating others to contribute to the shared values vision goal or task. • Recognizing and acknowledging others achievements. • Not accepting a person's unacceptable behaviour, yet remaining respectful of the person. • Distinguishing between respect and popularity. • Ensuring one's ego is aligned to the shared values and vision. • Honouring all others' sovereignty of their self. • Being inclusive. • Not wasting energy on blaming. • Remaining as calm and centred as possible. • Realising that earning respect is giving respect. Whilst the above list may appear difficult to remember and practice, it can be reduced to three particular understandings and thus easier to live. Those understandings are: - "We are sovereign entities and no matter what our behaviour is, we are not the behaviour performance or outcomes, therefore we deserve to be treated respectfully at all times, no matter what." "Recognize and immediately acknowledge desirable behaviour, performance and outcomes, and do not accept unacceptable behaviour, performance or outcomes." "You can deal with the unacceptable by asking respectful, timely and appropriate questions" When you show others that you consistently respectfully deal with great as well as unacceptable behaviour, performance and outcomes, they will naturally reciprocate by improving their behaviour, performance and outcomes. Such is the power of respect. If you have lost the respect of others, they will only follow you because they fear something or someone, and they are unable to be their best. Respect and trust go hand in hand. When they are not present at desired levels, the following are the symptoms in an organization or relationship: - • Withheld and broken communication. • Integrity breaches e.g. disobedience, absenteeism, safety breaches, and lesser performance. • Lowered morale and increased distress. • Departure of talent. Are you respected in your workplace?

©2004 David Deane-Spread