In a civil society, respect is a fundamental cornerstone. It smoothens our interactions with others, fostering harmony despite our inherent differences. Everyone could certainly benefit from a little more respect in their lives.
Respect for a person is a cumulative evaluation of their worth, based on their lifestyle, their treatment of you and others, and all the other factors that make up your overall impression of them. This is why it's often said that respect needs to be earned. Respect is often based on subjective criteria, depending on the individual's values.
The regard you hold for someone else can be influenced by various circumstances. For instance, some people might not hold renters in as high regard as homeowners. Others might not respect someone who's unemployed, without considering the circumstances that led to their unemployment.
We seldom know what others truly think of us, and naturally, we want them to see us in a positive light. But their perception is often out of our control. Regardless of how we're perceived, we should always be accorded basic respect. When we're respected by others, it boosts our own self-esteem.
Gaining More Respect: Effective Strategies
Want more respect from others? That's a natural desire. Ideally, respect should be a given, not something we need to work for. However, in reality, it doesn't always work that way. Nevertheless, there are certain actions you can take to command greater respect from others.
Here's a look at some actions and behaviors that can help you earn more respect.
Show Respect and Courtesy to Others
The respect you get is often a reflection of the respect you give. If you're disrespectful, it's unreasonable to expect respect from others. Mutual respect is a two-way street. When you show respect and courtesy to others, they're more likely to do the same for you. Thus, always be respectful, polite, and considerate.
Practice Self-Respect
If you don't respect yourself, it's hard for others to respect you. While we can't control how others perceive us, we can certainly control how we perceive and present ourselves. Uphold your integrity at all times and avoid underhanded tactics.
Be Reliable
Trust and respect go hand in hand. If people can't trust you, they won't respect you. Show that you can be trusted by keeping your commitments, making good judgments and decisions, and treating others with kindness, fairness, and humility.
Be Honest
Lying is the quickest way to lose respect. Honesty, on the other hand, garners respect. When your actions and words consistently align, people will naturally respect you. Proving you're honest and true to your word will certainly earn you respect.