IF FOR NO OTHER REASON

"From the equality of rights springs identity of our highest interests; you cannot subvert your neighbor's rights without striking a dangerous blow at your own."

Carl Schurz, first German born US Senator

Not just good political advice, which it is in this time of divisiveness.

Good advice, period!

To think and act otherwise may result in you being one of the first to lose your rights.

LISTEN TO THIS

"One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say."

Bryant H. McGill, 20th/21st century American author/speaker

Make no mistake about it, listening is much more than simply hearing words spoken by someone else.

Real listening requires you understand the other person's point of view. It is not the time to accept or reject what the other person says, that will come later.

Understand? 

THE PATH TO SELF RESPECT

"When people do not respect us we are sharply offended; yet deep down in his private heart no man much respects himself."

Mark Twain (1835-1910) U.S. humorist/writer/lecturer.

Right and wrong; you know what it is and if you are to respect yourself you must live your life accordingly.

Easy to say, difficult to always do, to the point that no one always does what they should while not doing what they shouldn't.

But the more you do the more respect you will earn from others, starting with you.

HARD EARNED RESPECT, ALSO GIVEN

"Nothing is more despicable than respect based on fear."

Albert Camus (1913-1960) French novelist/essayist/dramatist.

I would argue there is no respect based on fear, unless the fear and supposed respect is that imagined by those who only observe others interacting with each other.

If so it is an illusion.

Respect, like money, is something we all must continually work to earn.

RESPECT YOURSELF

"Respect starts with yourself."

Proverb

The Staple Singers got it right.

If you want respect you must first respect yourself.

The good news is, we all have attributes worthy of our respect and that of others.  

ALL of us.

DO UNTO OTHERS AS THOUGH THEY WILL ONE DAY DO UNTO YOU

"Mighty things from small beginnings grow."

John Dryden (1631-1700) British poet, dramatist and critic.

Which teaches us, or should, not to ignore what first appears to be small, insignificant, of little consequence, particularly other people.

We could be working for them one day.

THE EMPATHETIC MANAGER

"Nothing that grieves us can be called little: by the eternal laws of proportion a child's loss of a doll and a king's loss of a crown are events of the same size."

Mark Twain

19th century U.S. humorist/writer/lecturer

Recognizing and respecting the perspective of others is a talent critical to good management.

Who Are You?

"Nationalist pride, like other variants of pride, can be a substitute for self-respect."

Eric Hoffer

20th century American philosopher/author

And the equivalent in business would be what, pride in one's company?

I am not suggesting that large numbers of those who work for companies with well known/respected brands have no self-respect.

Were that the case the brands would not be successful.

But you do meet a lot of people who, when asked what they do, answer with a title prominently focused on the company brand as opposed to them as individuals.

Individual self-respect first or nothing good will follow for the company.

Respect But For What?

"Fools take to themselves the respect that is given to their office."

Aesop

6th century Greek fabulist

Impressed with yourself?

Even the military knows that the salute goes to the uniform, not the man wearing it.

Ceremony Yes, But Who's Ceremony?

"Ceremony is the smoke of friendship."

Chinese proverb

I've spent the better part of my career working with Asian based companies, in the US and throughout Asia, and clearly understand the importance, if not sometimes aggravating role ceremony plays in business dealings.

Question to my Asian friends:  Do you recognize the Western business person's propensity for informality as a form of ceremony?

Is there such a thing as "informal ceremony" in business, possibly in the same way a wedding on the beach in Maui is still a wedding ceremony?

Employee Respect

"The defect of equality is that we only desire it with our superiors."

Henry Becque
19th century French dramatist

Most of us report to someone with some having others report to us.

If both apply to you, are you as anxious for equality with one as the other?