How Leaders Can Command, Not Demand Respect

EmergingLeaders.org 2002

How Leaders Can Command, Not Demand Respect

Christine W. Zust

This article "How leaders Can Command, Not Demand Respect" talks about how leaders who are admired and respected have earned that respect. Leaders who demand respect will never get it. Respect has to be given. In Christine's article she talks about six different things that leaders must do to earn respect.

The first topic is leaders have to Walk the Talk. A lot of leaders don't provide a positive example for their workers to follow. There are many "talkers" in the world they say something but then there is not action. Christine uses the example when someone says "my door is always open" but it is really closed that person will lose respect.

The next topic she uses is Influence Don't Manipulate. Manipulation uses and abuses people to make them do what you want. People will respect you when you positively influence them you have support them on their willingness to support your goals. Manipulation is the dark side of management. Manipulation has no role in a true leader's skills

The third topic is Include, Don't Exclude. Leaders have to say things that make people feel they are part of the team. You have to turn me into we and instead of using "I" us we, our or lets look. When you do this it will make you look like you are more of a team player.

The Forth topic that is talked about is how leaders need to Participate Equally and Openly. If you hold yourself above everybody you will be seen as egotistical. You will earn major points if you are willing to learn new things and admit that you don't know everything. You have to be perceived as someone real. Treat everyone with the same respect even the janitor. People will see you as someone who is real not fake. Workers like to see their bosses in casual clothes with a drink in their hand at the company picnic.

The next topic is Back up Opinions With Facts. Everybody in the world has an opinion on something. You have to have facts to back up your opinions or else people will see you as a rambler. If your opinion is backed up with facts you will have peoples attention and earn their respect.

The last topic is Get a Real Image. Leaders in communities have to belong to the best clubs,