Respect Is Hard Won and Easily Lost
Respect. It’s one of those things that takes time to build and can be lost in seconds.
A sharp tone, an eye roll, a careless comment. Gone.
And the worst part? Once lost, respect is a slow climb to win back.
We often talk about wanting respect. We want it from our colleagues, our teams, our friends which means our thinking is outward facing.
Tough question time…..Are you paying attention to the ways that you might quietly be chipping away at the respect others have for you?
Our behaviour is always sending a message, whether we mean it to or not. What message might your behaviours be sending?
This week I am sharing five sneaky respect-killers to watch for (and gently call yourself out on):
📣 Talking big, delivering small
You’ve got ideas for days, but the follow-through? Not so much. When words don’t lead to action, people stop listening and trusting. Respect falls.
🎯 Needing to be right (every single time)
Being opinionated isn’t the issue. It’s needing to win every conversation that wears thin. Try this instead when you disagree with what someone is saying:
“That’s a good point. I hadn’t thought of it that way.”
This statement is Gold!! Say it and then move on to a different topic. Respect goes up. Ego goes down. Everyone wins.
🚌 Throwing others under the bus
From subtle digs to obvious blame-shifting, this is a huge trust-buster. Own your stuff. Leaders (and decent humans) don’t throw people under just to stay on top or to protect their own reputation.
☕ Being rude to people in “low power” roles
Snapping at the barista, ghosting the receptionist, dismissing the waiter? People notice. A lot.
Respect isn’t about status. Respect is all about your character.
😬 Oversharing too soon
There’s a fine line between authenticity and emotional dumping. Dropping your whole life story five minutes in makes people uncomfortable.
Want respect? Build connection gradually, not by handing over your unfiltered diary.
Respect isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being aware.
So check yourself. Clean it up. Keep it intentional.
And if you’re working on showing up with more consistency, strength, and (genuine) leadership presence – I’m here for it. Let’s connect. xx