The Best Leaders We All Want To Follow Give + Earn Respect First

Every great leader earns respect.

We all should strive to be worthy of respect and admiration. Yet, we are often afraid of being seen as too confident, arrogant, or aggressive. While we pursue our potential, we sometimes let the opinions of others get in the way.

You can’t control other people. You can’t control their thoughts or ideas.

You always control the actions you take.

Respect is earned slowly.

It takes effort and time. Respect — it’s not a right, but a privilege.

You must earn it.

You must earn it every day.

Here are what most the most respected leaders consistently do:

They serve.

Leaders give. Leaders help. Leaders care. Leaders serve. They do what needs to be done to make sure the people they lead are taken care of. By serving they are helping create a culture of mutual respect. They lift others, they support those around them. Respected leaders know that nothing great can ever be accomplished alone. True leadership is about aligning vision, goals, and actions together to create a better future. The greatest leaders truly inspire others by serving them first.

They listen.

The best leaders are always the best listeners. While they have strong opinions, they value the importance of other viewpoints. They know they will never learn if they only listen to themselves. When they listen to others, they help others feel important. We respect those who make us feel important. Everyone deserves to be heard, leaders earn respect by making sure that happens.

They give respect.

The most respected leaders know they must give respect before they can earn trust. Trust comes first, then respect. They treat others with kindness, with appreciation. They see others as humans and not as objects. They have empathy and compassion. While they are direct and to the point, they do so with a hear full of care for the other person.

They ask for what they need.

Asking for help is a sign of strength and trust. By asking for help they are building instant trust in everyone they meet. Leaders are secure in their abilities and know that asking for help is a strength, not a weakness. By asking for help they can accomplish more and include others along in the journey.

They are grateful.

The most respected leaders grateful for those they serve. They are grateful for the opportunity to lead. They know that all peace and contentment starts with appreciating what is so they can work toward what will be. They know that leadership and gratitude go hand in hand. The best leaders often show the most appreciation for those they serve.

They keep their promises.

Honor is everything. With no integrity, there is no respect. If they say they’ll do something, you know you they’ll do it. This is how trust is built, one story, one experience, one promise at a time. The best leaders thrive on being responsible and accountable. They earn the trust of others every day.

They admit mistakes.

Vulnerability is the new confidence. Admitting when we are wrong is hard. The best leaders do it easily. They earn respect by being wrong. It allows them to move on while earning tons of trust at the same time. When leaders admit they are wrong they build trust by allowing others to see their weakness, and most important, to allow others to feel valued and vindicated. By knowing when they are wrong and admitting the mistake, leaders can easily pivot and adapt rather than being stuck behind bad decisions.

These powerful leadership truths show how the best leaders build trust and earn respect.

"The way to build a big business is to take care of people." - Tom Bilyeu

When a leader sees others as people, gives of themselves, applies empathy and emotional intelligence they know they can help others. The best leaders earn respect by helping others find courage. When you take action in the face of fear, grief, or pain you are displaying courage. Actions built on courage create confidence. The best leaders know how to help others increase their confidence through courage.

You can be a great leader. You can serve others. Start today.

***There are 7 books that every aspiring leader needs to read:

1. Leadership & Self-Deception by The Arbinger Institute
2. Brave Leadership by Kimberly Davis
3. The Shift by Kimberly White
4. The Go-Giver by Bob Burg & John David Mann
5. The 10 Laws of Trust by Joel Peterson
6. The Speed of Trust by Steven M.R. Covey
7. The Trusted Executive by John Blakey

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*** Your Turn: How do the greatest leaders you know show true leadership?