9 ways to earn their respect

By Alison Vidotto

Respect is a fundamental ingredient if we want to be successful, whether as a leader or as a business owner. If those who answer to you do not respect you, “Houston you have a problem!”

Respect may not be at the forefront of our vocabulary these days, but it has not diminished in meaning or relevance. You need to have the respect of others if you are going to get anywhere.  Respect plays an important role in achieving your desired objectives.

Do you think about how much others respect you? Are you mindful of how you can earn their respect?

If you want to earn respect, you may want to consider the following:

1. Show respect

Like leadership, respect must begin with you. If you are showing respect to others they are more inclined to offer you the same courtesy. We can’t demand respect; it has to be freely given and it usually follows people who are honest, trustworthy and hard working. They have integrity.

2. Be Consistent

When you are respectful, committed and focused others will soon take notice. They will remember the positive things you do, but you need to be consistent as they will also observe negative behaviours too. Losing your temper or failing to follow through can very quickly undo the good work you have done.

3. Add value

We all appreciate and respect those who help us, it’s a natural response. If you want to build rapport with those around you, engage and support what they are doing. If you approach them with a mindset of ‘how can I add value to them’ you will soon see an increase in engagement, productivity and ultimately, the respect they have for you.

4. Leave your ego at home

There is nothing worse than a braggart! Well, maybe there is, but listening to someone brag about their own achievements can be annoying to say the least. It is difficult to have respect for someone who is egotistical and likes to blow their own trumpet. Let your achievements speak for themselves. Exercise humility as you deal with others.

5. Mentor those coming behind you

The value of mentoring should not need to be addressed. It is vital to professional development. Have your own mentor and be consciously aware of mentoring those who are coming behind you. By sharing the knowledge you have gained you will be developing the emerging leaders in your company. It is an investment in the future of your team and your business. Research tells us that mentoring is not only a key ingredient in success, it is also a good reason for productive staff members to stay with a company.

6. Delegate but do your share

Having the ability to delegate well is imperative for a leader. You need to be able to pass tasks along to other to enable you to lead your business. Delegation also gives staff members the opportunity to learn new skills and grow. They will appreciate your confidence in their ability to learn new skills and the introduction of new tasks will keep their work life interesting. They will see that their skill set is growing. That said however, it is also important that you are hands on and you know what is happening in your business. Let the team know you are there with them, roll your sleeves up and pitch in when the need arises.

7. Be a cheerleader

We all love to spend time with people who are positive and encourage our efforts. It’s not difficult to show an interest in the challenges others are facing and to encourage them as they learn new skills or strive to meet deadlines.

8. Share your vision and purpose, constantly.

As a leader, if you are not sharing your vision and purpose you are not leading. When staff know just why they are working on a task and how they are contributing to a greater good they will become more engaged and more invested in the goals of your company.

9. Show gratitude

Employees who work hard should be acknowledged and rewarded. It isn’t difficult and even the smallest gestures can go a long way in letting staff know that they are appreciated. Take the time to publicly acknowledge their efforts. A public display of respect given for a job well done will go a long way in building a positive workplace culture. 

Alison Vidotto is an award winning author, professional speaker, CEO of Vidotto Group, leadership trainer and Founder and Managing Director of the Australian Charity for the Children of Vietnam.