How A Leader Earns RESPECT?

Many of us remember the famous, Rodney Dangerfield, comedy routine, I don't get no respect. The similarity between Rodney's complaint, and, that, of many pseudo - leaders, is, while they feel, they aren't getting the degree of RESPECT, they believe they deserve, a true leader recognizes, one must earn that respect, because it doesn't automatically come, as a result of any position, and/ or status. With that in mind, this article will attempt to briefly identify, consider, and discuss, using the mnemonic approach, why this is something sought, and needed, by a quality leader, and what it might mean, and represent.

1. Relevant; responsive; reliable: Quality leadership must be, consistently, and meaningfully, relevant, both, to the organization's sustainability, etc, as well as to the stakeholders, served and represented! A real leader must be responsive to the essential goals, and priorities, as well as perceptions, or why would others, grant him that desired, respect! He must also proceed, towards seeking, the most reliable courses, of actions, which might make a quality difference, for the better, for the group, and constituents!

2. Empathy; emphasis: Only when/ if, someone realizes, he doesn't know - it - all, or have all the answers, and makes a concerted effort to listen, far more than he speaks, and learns, from every conversation, and experience, will he place his emphasis, where it is most appreciated, and his efforts are, therefore, most respected!

3. Service; systems; sustainable solutions: Why should anyone respect you, unless your focus is on service to stakeholders, and organization, rather than any personal/ political agenda, and/ or, self - interest? What systems someone puts into place, often differentiate a true leader, who deserves to be respected, and the rest - of - the - pack! A quality leader perceives and conceives of, discovers, creates, and implements, sustainable solutions, rather than merely, blaming, and complaining!

4. Priorities; planning: How someone determines his priorities, and how others perceive them, often is a major differentiation, between one, who earns the respect, and others! To achieve, and make a change, for the better, requires professional, well - intentioned, leadership planning!

5. Excellence; energize: Will you demand the highest degree of your personal excellence, or accept, merely, good - enough? Only one who follows the first path, will positively, energize others, to care more, become more committed, and involved!

6. Character; clarity; creative; choices: The measure of one's character, should be measured by whether he articulates, with utmost clarity, considers various options and alternatives, and makes his choices, after creative, thorough, consideration, and with a positive, can - do, attitude!

7. Timely: We often witness fearful individuals, who fear, making timely, well - considered, choices, and decisions, and observe, how this tendency towards procrastination, hurts their leadership, and the organization's potential relevance, and sustainability!

This article has touched upon some of the aspects of a leader, earning RESPECT. Are you willing, and able, to proceed, in that way?