| I decided to check out the definition of respect in the | | | | succeeded or did not succeed. Success rested in how |
| Merriam-Webster's 2008 online dictionary. Here's just a | | | | well I gave "particular attention" to the physical and |
| sample of what I learned: respect originated as a noun | | | | emotional cues of people, including my own, as much |
| in the 14th century derived from the Latin respectus, | | | | as to the situation. |
| (act of looking back), from respicere (to look back, | | | | As infants and toddlers, we all faced three primary |
| regard) and from re- + specere (to look). As I read the | | | | tasks before venturing into our social worlds. |
| definitions, I read many phrases such as: | | | | |
| - looking back | | | | 1. We learned how to interact with our caregivers and |
| - a relation or reference to a particular thing or situation | | | | established relationships with them. |
| - high and special regard | | | | 2. We learned how to regulate our emotions and |
| - the quality or state of being esteemed | | | | behaviors from these interactions. |
| - to refrain from interfering with | | | | 3. We learned more about self-regulating, and we felt |
| - regard for one's own standing or position | | | | safe due to our caregiver relationships, so we wanted |
| As I consider these phrases in terms of leadership, I do | | | | to explore and learn how to do things. |
| not think about "what" I do or the tasks at hand. | | | | The basis of the respect we have for ourselves as |
| Rather, I think about "how" I am with others, myself, | | | | human beings comes from that early time in life from |
| and our world. Respect and its associated phrases | | | | the people we held (and continue to hold) in high or |
| make me think of a mirror and a reference point (the | | | | special regard. We can also find how we have ended |
| kind one uses to draw in art projects). I think about | | | | up with regard for our positions in life. Through my |
| faces of people I have met in the workplace over the | | | | research, I have found convincing evidence that the |
| years and their reactions to me. I am amazed at how | | | | impact from caring and supportive relationships helps |
| often their reactions and body language actually gave | | | | people overcome life challenges and develop respect |
| me a lot of feedback about myself. These people | | | | for themselves and others. |
| served as "mirrors" and "reference" points that told me | | | | Keep in mind that respect costs nothing, leaves the |
| how effectively I worked to accomplish tasks with and | | | | budget neutral, but gives everything and can lead to |
| for them. | | | | sustainable outcomes for workforce and leadership |
| One major difference exists between the times I | | | | development. |