When you’re in a leadership position, it is imperative that the people with whom you work respect you but respect is never a given. It must always be earned. Your team might respect your work habits, your intelligence or your ability to close a deal but there’s more to respect than that.
If you can earn their respect as a person, then you’ve really won the game. Here are some tips that can help you earn more respect.
1. Be kind
Always be polite to everyone you meet during the day, from your spouse and children to your co-workers, to the checkout person at the grocery store. I know, this is easier said than done, especially when you’re having a bad day. But if you would want to be treated respectfully; so does everyone else. Give others the same respect you’d like to receive yourself. Seek out actions you can take to offer politeness. Open the door at the coffee shop for the person behind you, or let the person with one item go ahead of you in the grocery store. Smile and say please and thank you whenever possible.
