I haven’t blogged for quite a long time, with other projects and opportunities, I haven’t made the time to do so, however, something happened that I feel passionate about; I had to write about it.

There is something about respect that all people need and crave. I want to talk about two types of respect, professional and personal.  Professional respect is something that is given before it is earned.  Whenever you have a professional title, that title earns you a level of respect to people in your organization, in and out of your industry, and in most areas of your public and private life.  When you meet someone and they are introduced to you as Mr. or Mrs. so and so, president of xyz incorporated, you respect the title without ever really knowing the individual, the respect is pretty much a given.  This respect is often broken after the person has been found doing something wrong, whether criminal or otherwise, the respect or lack of it, is already tangible and present.

Personal respect is something quite different and less apparent. We practice personal respect in all areas of our lives through our associations with our families, friends, and colleagues. Respect on this level is more earned, given freely, but over the benchmark of time, it can be cultivated with deeds and words and actions. With personal respect the way you treat others can reflect greatly on you and this can color or change the way others see you as the way you treat others.  When a colleague came to me to talk about this she had just been through a situation where someone who worked for her made a comment about someone else in the department with a different position.  The comment was similar to “Well, that’s just Susie in marketing”. The comment was made in a way that the person in question was at a lower level than they were, tone and inflection of the comment was also very much in play.  My point is this, whether you are a president or any other position, we are all people of equal value and importance.  We all matter. To belittle someone on the bases of their title or lack thereof is very disrespectful to their human condition.  To dismiss someone due to the fact they don’t have the education, the family heritage, or the income defies basic principles of human dignity.

Wikipedia defines respect as a positive feeling of esteem or deference for a person or other entity (such as a nation or a religion), and also specific actions and conduct representative of that esteem. Everyone is looking for respect and it cannot be measured as a quantity, cannot be bought or traded, it is one of those things that is earned and built over time, but that can be lost with one stupid or inconsiderate act. One can ask or beg for respect, but only others can bestow us with respect as a result of their perceived treatment by us. Continued caring interactions are then required to maintain or increase that original earned respect. Respect cannot always be seen or observed by actions, but for those who practice chivalry, the outward display of respect is refreshing. Some women view this as patronizing and demeaning, but in its pure form chivalry is about nearly absolute respect.

Working in the multifamily industry, we often see a lack of respect. Onsite there are always those times where the resident was disrespectful to the staff, staff was disrespectful to the resident, then calls to the corporate office where the lack of respect is reported.  Apologies are requested, some offered, and some not.  Wars erupted over a lack of respect for ideals and visions in every war ever fought from the beginning of time. Don’t underestimate the power of respect, in both your professional life and personal.  Respect is a valuable commodity and one worth cultivating and cherishing. 

We work with residents, vendors, corporate office, community leaders, movers and shakers in all walks of life.  When you give respect willingly, you will be respected.  When you treat people as you would want to be treated, this comes back to you 10 fold. When you are humble about your great wealth, good fortune, and exceptional opportunities, you are seen as someone to be respected, someone who has earned respect.  When you are treating people with dignity and graciousness you earn respect no matter what job or role you play in society

No one is over you or under you; we are all equal as we pull on our pants one leg at a time.  Do some have more money, more influence, and more opportunities? You bet, but that’s life.  Give more respect to others and you will get it back and always remember, You Matter.