Respect Starts With You: How Accountability Shapes Better Conversations

We’ve all seen the moments. They’re uncomfortable. They linger in your mind long after you’ve scrolled past or stepped out of the situation.

Think about the woman reporter mid-interview, asking smart, relevant questions. Instead of answers, she’s talked over. Ignored. Her words bulldozed by louder voices. Each attempt to steer the conversation is derailed by verbal dismissals or even condescending responses, as if her efforts to engage seriously don’t deserve equal footing.

Or consider the workplace meeting. A woman shares thoughtful, well-rounded ideas, but before she gets the chance to finish, a man interrupts and takes over the conversation. She’s left sidelined, her contributions completely dismissed.

And who could forget the man at the sports stadium? He stands, loudly berating a woman in the stands, unprovoked. Yelling. Gesturing aggressively. She’s visibly uncomfortable, seated and silent, while everyone around the scene becomes part of the problem by doing nothing at all.

These situations aren’t hypothetical. They’re happening. Everywhere. At work. In public spaces. On camera for all to see. And when videos of these moments go viral, something curious happens: the blame game begins.

“It’s the company they work for, obviously—it must reflect their entire culture.” “Maybe it’s how they were raised—it’s the family dynamic.” “Maybe they were just stressed and snapped—that doesn’t reflect who they really are.”

But here’s the thing: those excuses don’t justify the behavior. A company didn’t make someone talk over a reporter. Stress didn’t force someone to interrupt a colleague. A person’s spouse didn’t encourage them to shout at a stranger in a stadium.

This behavior? It’s a choice. And respect? That’s a choice, too.

Why Respect Is a Responsibility

You can’t outsource respect. It doesn’t come from your job or upbringing. Respect is what you bring into every conversation. It’s what you model, what you practice, and what you expect of yourself every day.

Think about a time you’ve been in a tense moment. Have you interrupted instead of listened? Spoken over someone during heated disagreements? Brushed past someone’s question without responding because it didn’t align with your narrative? We’ve all done it. None of us are immune.

But the truth is that respect is a learned habit. And just like bad behaviors, it can be unlearned.

5 Simple Ways to Choose Better Conversations

1?? Pause and Listen Completely. Let others finish before jumping in—not just out of politeness, but because hearing someone out creates space for true collaboration.

2?? Challenge Ideas, Not People. Disagreement is fine, even productive. But hit the idea, not the person. Frame your responses with respect: “I’d see it another way” goes further than “You’re wrong.”

3?? Step In Calmly. When you see someone being verbally dismissed—like that reporter or colleague—address it gently. “I think she’s making a strong point—let’s hear her out.” Small interventions can shift energy and set a better precedent.

4?? Lead by Example. Every meeting you hold. Every conversation you enter. Choose respect, patience, and understanding as your baseline—and others will notice.

5?? Celebrate Positive Moments. Share and normalize examples of respect, empathy, and thoughtful discussion. Positive reinforcement goes a long way.

It Starts With Us. Every Day.

Respect isn’t just about the company we work for or the space we’re in. It’s about us. Our words. Our actions. Every single day.

The woman reporter deserved to be heard, not bulldozed. The colleague in the meeting deserved her ideas to be considered, not ignored. The fan in the stands didn’t need to yell; they could’ve engaged productively. These are choices they could’ve made.

The question is: what choice will you make? How will you show up to ensure others are heard, valued, and treated like equals?

Let’s stop deflecting accountability and start taking ownership. Respect starts here. Respect starts now. Respect starts with you.

What does respect look like in your daily life? Drop your thoughts below, and let’s work together to create a network of meaningful conversations.??