Another character trait that all leaders possess is respect. The true leader is respectful of others. Respect really deals with the value we place on someone. If we respect someone, we communicate that we value them and hold them in high regard. We try to build them up, not tear them down.
A better measure for respect is how we act towards a person that is weaker than ourselves or a person we don’t like. It is easy to respect someone like a boss or a person in a position of authority over ourselves (a teacher or a parent.) It is much more difficult to respect someone smaller, weaker, and younger than ourselves. When a person does show respect to a person of less stature, it means more, because they have nothing to gain from the relationship by being nice.
When you have authority, you shouldn’t lord it over someone else. Jesus taught this concept to His disciples. His model was that of a servant leader. Serving others is a way to measure your respect for them. As the Apostle Paul said in Philippians 2:5-8[i], “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!”
The legendary basketball coach, John Wooden, once said, “Respect a man, and he will do all the more.” He knew that people will do more for you when they feel respected by you.
It is my hope that our respect for one another, for others outside our community, and for the property God gives to us to use will grow this year. Being known as a respectful person is a trait that will help you in many ways in the future.
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